News
White fly infestation set to drive coconut prices higher
View(s):By Senuka Jayakody
Prices of coconut and king coconut are expected to rise further in the wake of the white fly infestation which is spreading fast, and which has reduced the harvest.
Explaining the prevailing high prices, the growers say production is leaner in November, December, January, and February.
Coconut Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Keerthi Weerasinghe told the Sunday Times,“The white fly pest is spreading at a higher rate than we thought’’.
Growers have been advised to mix neemazal and soap powder in water and spray onto the trees. Pix by Hiran Priyankara and M.A. Pushpa Kumara
With regard to king coconut, native to Sri Lanka, Mr. Weerasinghe said prices had risen from around Rs. 70 to Rs. 150. About 90% of the king coconut trees had been infected, he said. “The lack of fertiliser for coconut trees in previous years also contributed to the rapid spread of the pest.’’
The CDA is planning to introduce natural predators. In the meantime, non-chemical solutions are being recommended to prevent the possible harm to existing natural predators.
There are also plans to involve the army in spraying trees.
“The people in the country do not understand that the white fly pest issue is placing a billion dollar industry at stake,’’ Mr Weerasinghe said.
Jayantha Samarakoon, president of the Coconut Growers Association, said he expected a rise in prices of coconut, but claimed it was “normal”, as production at “this time of the year is less”.
Keerthi Weerasinghe
“The amount plucked in November, December, January and February are half of the amount plucked in a normal month,’’ he said.
However, he claimed the infestation impact would not be felt for about 11 months.
On December 19, a meeting was held at the Presidential Secretariat, attended by the Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB), Coconut Research Institute (CRI), Coconut Development Authority (CDA), the Plantation Ministry and the Coconut Growers Association, chaired by the president’s secretary, Saman Ekanayake.
The CRI had done a presentation and the CCB had introduced a 100-day plan to treat 758,000 trees out of 4.6 million affected. The programme has asked for Rs. 170 million. The Presidential Secretariat has allocated Rs. 83.8m.
Officials of the CCB, CRI and CDA told a news conference on December 27 that they expected a 40% drop in king coconut production, but only a 4% to 5% fall in coconut production.
Explaining the damage to king coconut trees, CRI Deputy Director Dr. Nayani Arachchige said the white fly was mainly drawn to yellow.
The coconut white fly, believed to have come from India, only affects coconut, while the other three species identified in Sri Lanka, badly affects other crops such as betel nut, kithul, banana, and chili crops, as well.
Nayani Arachchige
The white fly sucks the juices of coconut leaves. This causes the leaves to turn yellow. The flies then release a solution, “like honey”, which falls onto the lower leaves of the tree. This prevents photosynthesis.
Growers have been advised to mix 10ml of neemazal and 5g of soap powder in one litre of water and spray onto the trees.
The pest now affects 132 zonal divisions of 10 districts, mainly, Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Kegalle. There is severe infestation in Kurunegala, Ratnapura, Galle, Kandy, and Matara districts.
The president of the Coconut Cultivation Board, Prof. A. V. K. Madhavi Herath, said 35,000 growers have been informed.
The CRI does not expect a significant drop in production. About 3.2m nuts are expected in 2023, while 3.11m coconuts had been harvested between January and November in 2022.
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