National Program To Establish 250 “Ceylon King Coconut Villages” Launched

COLOMBO (News1st);A national program to establish 250 King Coconut Villages under the name "Ceylon King Coconut Village" will be launched today.

Its objective is to expand king coconut cultivation in the country, increase production and productivity, and broaden the international market for king coconut and its-related products.

Under this program, 250 king coconut villages will be established across the island over a three-year period with 75 villages this year, 80 villages next year, and 95 villages in 2028.

The Ministry of Plantation Industries and Community Infrastructure stated that the initiative aims to increase Sri Lanka's annual king coconut harvest by 25 million nuts and raise the export revenue of king coconut and related products to over USD 12 million by the year 2030.

To encourage king coconut farmers, a financial subsidy of Rs. 700 per tree will be provided for the rehabilitation of existing king coconut trees.

While the market value of a new king coconut sapling is Rs. 750, the ministry announced that steps are being taken to provide them to farmers at a concessionary price of Rs. 150.

The first phase of establishing 75 king coconut villages will cover the districts of Monaragala, Matara, Kurunegala, Kegalle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Puttalam, Ratnapura, Hambantota, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Matale, Galle, Batticaloa, and Kandy.