Jayanthi COORAY
Coconut oil was found to be of a higher quality and more conducive for consumption than palm oil, according to experiments carried out by the Coconut Research Institute, said a spokesman for the Institute.
The annual local consumption of coconut oil is 150,000 metric tons while Rs 15,000 million is spent on palm oil imports annually. Meanwhile, the Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Ministry has taken steps to cultivate four million coconut seedlings before the end of this year through the Kapruka Puravara, Kapruka Sip Nenai and Divi Neguma programmes.
The distribution of seedlings has been completed in most districts and steps have been taken to start new plant nurseries in each Divisional Secretariat Division in addition to the existing nurseries.
Production and distribution of seedlings is done in keeping with the climatic conditions in the respective areas.
For instance, the disease resistant variety known as Kundira will be distributed for cultivation in Weligama which was worst affected by the coconut leaf blight.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/09/24/news34.asp
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