Coconut growers against import of nuts

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Coconut Growers Association (CGA) yesterday cautioned authorities to be vigilant on coconuts that are to be temporarily imported to ease the Christmas and New Year demand, since worldwide coconut plantations have already been affected by two dangerous diseases, the Weligama Vilt and Asariya Mika.

Speaking to the Sunday Observer CGA, President Anton Fernando expressed his displeasure over the decision taken by the Coconut Development and the Janatha Estate Development Board (CDJEDB) to import coconuts as a temporary measure to ease the current demand.

He said if these imported coconuts are affected by these two most dangerous diseases which have already destroyed millions of coconut plantation worldwide, it will be a massive threat to the local coconut cultivation.He therefore, requested CDJEDB, Minister Jagath Pushpakumara to refrain from importing coconuts and take measures to collect them from countrywide estates in a methodical way.

"There is no shortage of coconuts in the country, if correct measures are adopted to collect and distribute them," he assured.