Kitul products, forex earner

by Naalir Jamaldeen

The first week of April has been declared as "Kitul Products Promotion Week". Several programs to promote and strengthen the Kitul industry will be implemented during this week under the directive and supervision of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Development Minister Douglas Devananda, according to Ministry Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy.

He said that the Government has granted several incentives to those who are engaged in the Kitul Industry under the Mahinda Chintana national development agenda.

He said that the export of Kitul products has increased and exports to United States has increased rapidly compared to other export destinations.

He said that United Kingdom and Japan have become the main importers of Kitul products from Sri Lanka due to its hygienic and medicinal values.

Kitul treacle and jaggery export earnings in the year 2011 amounted to Rs. 26 million and increased to Rs. 58 million in 2012 and to Rs. 68 million in 2013, Sivagnanasothy said.

He said that the Kitul sector has been identified as a main rural economic development strategy for the livelihood development, self employment, income generation and poverty reduction in the rural sector and facilitates the flow of foreign exchange directly to the villages.

The Secretary said that there are 3 million Kitul trees in 18 districts across the country and there are around 600,000 matured trees of which about 120,000 trees are currently being tapped.

He said that there are 35,000 tappers in the country. Rupees 10,000 to 15,000 can be earned by tapping a single tree. He said that in line with the Kitul Week program the Annual Kitulata Varuna Exhibition and Trade Fair will be held from April 4 to 6 at the Sudarshi Sinhala Cultural Centre in Colombo opposite BMICH. e said that this exhibition and trade fair will help New Year shoppers to purchase Kitul products they want.