Govt to allocate extra budget funds to boost coconut cultivation

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that the ongoing coconut shortage is a result of the lack of a proper government policy to develop coconut cultivation.  

The Prime Minister speaking in Parliament said that the current government is working on formulating a comprehensive policy to address the issue and has already implemented several short-term programs to support the sector.  

As part of these efforts, the government has allocated additional funding in this year’s budget to develop coconut cultivation.  

The Prime Minister further noted that institutions under the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure are implementing measures to enhance local coconut production. 

These include conducting tests for high-yield coconut varieties, identifying effective agricultural practices, offering technical advice to manage diseases and pests, and submitting policy recommendations to strengthen the coconut sector.  (Islandnews)