By Pabodha Hettige
The Ministry of Coconut Development and the Coconut Research Institute have taken steps to establish 20 research laboratories to remedy the diseases and viruses related to coconut. "Already, four such laboratories have been established in the Chilaw, Puttlam, Batticoloa and Kurunegala districts and another five laboratories will be set up before the end of this year," Acting Director of the Coconut Research Institute Dr. Jayantha Gunathilaka said.
One such laboratory could provide technical assistance to nearly 7,000 acres of coconut plantations.
Coconut Development Ministry sources said that the coconut harvest had dropped by nearly 17 per cent due to the Maita disease present in Trincomalee, Ampara, Moneragala and several other coconut growing districts. "The laboratories will be able to develop methods to offset the disease in the near future," Additional Secretary of the Ministry, D. M. L. Bandaranaika said.
This year, the ministry has taken steps to cultivate four million coconut saplings islandwide. "It is an increase of two million saplings compared to last year. The ministry has plant nurseries containing 5.7 million saplings and already 700,000 have been issued to the coconut growers," he said.
The ministry has already planned a programme to plant six million coconut saplings islandwide in 2012. "Under the Divi Neguma programme 1.5 million saplings will be distributed among the families who will be benefitted by the programme," he said.
Responding to a query Bandaranaika said that the ministry will provide plants free for for two acres of land and they could also provide plants at half price for another three acres.
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