By Palitha Araiyawasa
Restrictions on Kitul tapping in Kitulgala village in Yatiyantota have been lifted and the area declared as an Industrial village by the government. Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Development K.R. Samarasinghe said Kitul tapping needed a special skill and that steps would be taken to train Kitul tappers and juggery and treacle makers. The Additional Secretary said 6000 tappers would be trained during the next three years.
“Kitul industry, which is unique to Sri Lanka, would be a tourist attraction when it flourishes in the area. At present the majority of the people in Kitulgala area depend on Kitul industry.
The ongoing programme is intended to boost the Kitul industry in the area and to make it a tourist attraction bringing an additional income to the villagers.
The ministry has taken step to develop Kitul industry in 17 districts and to find a remunerative market for the produce.
A survey conducted by the Ministry of Rural Industries and Self Employment Promotion with the help of Agrarian Services Department and the Census and Statistic Department revealed more than 84 per cent of the Kitul pods are not tapped for want of technical knowledge and skills. Statistically a profit of approximately Rs.10, 000 a month could be earned by making juggery and treacle with the sweet toddy from a tree. However, only 15 per cent of the estimated 5,74,259 trees have been tapped. This would be increased up to 30 per cent within the next three years under the ongoing programme. He said the Kitul industry has flourished in Ratnapura, Galle, Matara, Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya, and Moneragala, districts.
He said a permit was not required to tap Kitul trees and the Commissioner D.P.M.V. Hapuarachchi had issued a circular in this regard.
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