Rs. 90m to support coconut smallholders

by L. S. A. Wedaarachchi

[email protected]
 

The Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB) subsidises coconut fertiliser to coconut smallholders.

The plantation Minister D. M. Jayaratne said that Rs. 90 million has been allocated to provide fertiliser to coconut smallholders. "It is essential to use fertiliser for coconut cultivation for better productivity", he said.

Coconut smallholders who own half acre to 50 acres are entitled for the fertiliser subsidy, Chairman CCB, Dr. Jayanta Gunatileke said.

He said that the coconut smallholders are able to obtain the " fertiliser certificate" from their regional CCB offices by providing details of the coconut cultivation.

Three Kilograms of fertiliser per coconut tree will be given to smallholders.

A three-kilogram fertiliser packet for home gardners will be provided by the CCB next moth at a concessionary price of Rs. 175, the Chairman said.

Fertiliser will be issued by the CCB regional offices.

The price of a tonne of coconut fertiliser is between Rs. 47,000 - Rs. 55,000 in the market.