CDA drive to save over Rs. 14b annually on coconut waste

by Lalin Fernandopulle

The Coconut Development Authority (CDA) has launched a program at national level to minimise waste and save over Rs. 14 billion from around 535 million nuts per annum.

The country's annual average production of coconuts is around 2,800 million nuts of which 70 per cent is used for domestic needs. Of the quantity used for domestic consumption over 30 per cent of the nuts are wasted due to ineffective milk extraction methods.

Raw materials such as coconut shells, fibre, water and paring are not made use of due to the poor milk extraction methods.

Assistant Director Marketing Development and Research, CDA, V. Balakrishnan said the CDA will take steps to carry out research and development to introduce fresh coconut milk to the market.

"With the support of the private sector we will promote products such as coconut milk, cream, paste and desiccated coconuts. By introducing waste management methods the CDA envisages to collect raw material at a particular place instead of allowing it to go waste", he said.

Land fragmentation is one of the major obstacles to increase coconut cultivation in the country. The growing population is another reason for the limitation of land. The country's annual coconut consumption requirement is 4,000 million nuts. The present shortage is 1,200 million nuts.

Balakrishnan said the price of coconuts increased due to the shortage during the lean season from October to March. Coconuts can be bought from CDA stalls in Colombo and its mobile services at a reasonable price. The price per coconut ranges from Rs. 30-35 today.

The Coconut Cultivation Board has taken steps to expand cultivation in the Eastern province. Coconut which is one of the main plantation crops contributes significantly to the country's export earnings. The estimated foreign exchange earning is around Rs. 23 billion per annum.

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