National plan for coconut industry vital

by Lalin Fernandopulle

Due to fragmentation of land during the past decade, we have lost over 65,000 acres of coconut land. About 6,000 acres of coconut cultivation land gets fragmented annually.

Though the annual requirement of coconuts for consumption and industry usage is 3,000 million, production is only 2,600 million. Therefore, we need to take steps to increase coconut production said Chairman, Coconut Cultivation Board Dr. H. E. J. Gunetileke.

In 1962 there were 1.2 million acres of coconut land but today it has dropped to 950,000 acres. The decline in coconut cultivation was influenced by the open economy coming into effect in 1977. The government during the post 1978 era imported cheap palm oil against which the local coconut oil producer had to compete. Since attention was paid on the sale and distribution of palm oil the local coconut oil producers did not show any interest and the industry suffered.

The inadequate support given to coconut cultivators by subsequent governments resulted in the downfall of the coconut industry.

As a result those involved in coconut cultivation today show lack of interest. Fragmentation of coconut land and lack of interest by coconut growers is a big drawback to the coconut industry and the economy at large, Gunetileke said.

Launching the 'Pol Ropa' national coconut cultivation program on Tuesday at Temple Trees President Mahinda Rajapaksa said we need to grow more and care more for coconut trees.

The year 2006 was declared as the year for coconut cultivation to stress the need to grow more coconut seedlings.