CDA, private sector to minimise waste

by D. J. U. Purasinghe, Chairman, CDA

Continued from last week

In addition as coconuts are supplied to a focal manufacturing point, it is easy to collect coconut shell and coconut water coir fibre for the byproducts industry.

Campaign

Unlike coconuts it is convenient for consumers to carry coconut milk powder, coconut milk and coconut cream. Coconut milk powder and coconut milk are marketed by Nestle and the Renuka group of companies and Tech Foods in the local market.

The active involvement of the CDA in this exercise will strengthen the market for these products and a certain degree of recognition among the consumers would be created for these products.

Initially about 30,000 danglers by the CDA will be displayed through the private company outlets throughout the island depicting the wastage minimising campaign on the usage of coconut products. The CDA expects to mobilise more private parties in this endeavour.

The CDA initially expects to target the upper middle class urban working segment of the population and after a few years of activity the promotion campaign will cover the suburbs and other parts of the Island.

To drive this concept there is a need for a change of attitude of consumers and it could be achieved only over a long term by about 10 to 15 years.

To facilitate the promotion concept the CDA has initiated some quality improvement programs.

The CDA dangler campaign also carries another message the promotion of usage of pure unadulterated coconut oil and its health benefits.

The coconut oil in the marketplace at present is mostly adulterated with palm oil and its consumption will result in harmful health effects.

Therefore, the CDA has taken measures to spot check the quality of the coconut oil sold at retail outlets in the country in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and if adulteration is proved legal action would be taken against the offenders who sell adulterated oil under the coconut oil label.