Coconut saplings for school children

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The distribution of 3.9 million coconut saplings among school children in Grade six classes islandwide will be continued by the Coconut Development Ministry (CDM) with the begining of the mid-year school term from tomorrow.

Coconut Development and the Janatha Estate Development Board (CDJEDB) Minister Jagath Pushpakumara told the Sunday Observer yesterday that of four million, 10,000 coconut saplings have already been distributed among children in 350 schools at main coconut producing areas from April 14.

The program is conducted in collaboration with the Department of Education, Local Government Authorities, Gramaseva Niladaris and Samurdi beneficiaries.

Minister Pushpakumara said each student will be provided with two coconut saplings and the growth of trees will be monitored through a school register maintained by the class teacher.

The program will be extended to all schools in the country. Under the program all Local Government Authorities and Divisional Secretaries will also have to identify large, medium and small scale lands which could be used to plant coconut saplings.

The Minister said encouraging people, especially the younger generation on the importance of replanting coconut trees is also another solution to address the coconut shortage in the country.

The Government has banned the felling of coconut trees and the clearing of coconut lands for commercial purposes.

It is reported that over 10,000 acres of coconut lands in Kurunegala, Pannala and Negombo districts were sold by land sale owners for commercial purposes during the past two years.

He said Local Government authorities and Gramaseva Niladaris should keep a close tab on partitioned and also neglected coconut lands in their respective areas.

The Minister also focused attention towards the granting a fertilizer subsidy for schoolchildren and coconut growers to make the program a success.