Foreign pests suspected in coconut decline: Coconut Board Chairman

By Indika Sri Aravinda

Colombo, January 30 (Daily Mirror) - It is suspected that the collapse of the coconut industry in this country or the reduction in coconut yields has been due to the influence of foreign invasive insects or bacteria, Chairman of the Coconut Cultivation Board Dr. Sunimal Jayakody said.  

He told the Daily Mirror that several reports have linked the decline in coconut yields to foreign invasive insects or bacteria.  

"Importing coconuts carries the risk of introducing harmful insects or bacteria to the coconut industry. Therefore, the special committee appointed to investigate into the matter has decided to suspend coconut imports," he said.  

As a result, the committee has decided to suspend coconut imports for re-export and is now focusing on importing only coconut kernel (endosperm).  

Even though imported coconuts undergo a quarantine process, Jayakody pointed out that there is no technical method to completely eliminate insects or bacteria. 

However, the government recently announced it was prepared to import coconuts, as 200 million nuts are needed to sustain the coconut export industry.  

The special committee was appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure and the Secretary of the Ministry of Industries for this purpose.  

Accordingly, the quantity of coconut kernel to be imported will be determined based on the recommendations of the relevant committee, he said.