Need to improve productivity of existing coconut palms
While there is lack of data available geographically and demographically on Sri Lanka’s coconut growing sector, the country needs to improve productivity of existing coconut palms, replant unproductive coconut lands and plant new areas that are suitable, according to Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industries (CCCI), President, Jayantha Samarakoon.
He made these remarks during the inauguration of the chamber at the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka in Colombo on Thursday.
At the event
Mr. Samarakoon said, “Coconut plantation is a thriving industry with an inbuilt traditional value and practices with the engagement of the rural community of Sri Lanka. With the cost escalating in the traditional value chains, we need to look at how we could improve productivity, and be competitive both locally and globally. Our coconut products have gained popularity in the global market, whether it is kernel or non-kernel products, both categories enjoy significant international demand. Kernel products, traditionally centred on desiccated coconut, are evolving towards higher value offerings, such as coconut milk and coconut milk-based beverages, which have great potential for increasing export earnings.”
“Emerging sectors like coconut husk-based substrates are now contributing nearly 30 per cent of our export revenue. The substrates industry is poised for significant growth, driven by the global shift towards controlled environment agriculture. Similarly, the activated carbon industry presents another promising avenue for value creation,” he added.
Sri Lanka needs to increase the annual production from 3 billion to 4.5 billion coconuts within the next five years to support the domestic consumption and export industry, noted Mr. Samarakoon while elaborating, “We have about 1.1 million acres of coconut land producing about 3 billion coconuts annually. Our production is about 2,750 coconuts per acre per year, which does not compare with India that produces more than 6,000 coconuts per acre per year.”
Formation of the CCCI was facilitated by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization within the scope of the European Union-funded BESPA-FOOD project and Ernst and Young. CCCI is also backed by key partners in the state sector, the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, the Coconut Development Authority, the Coconut Cultivation Board, and the Coconut Research Institute.
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