Big plans for coconut estates

Thursday, 21 July 2011 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shezna Shums

The Coconut Research Institute (CRI) along with the Ministry of Coconut Development is promoting organic farming of coconuts which they hope would be a major tourist attraction.

“Most of the coconut estates are situated along the beach, and with the government’s plan to attract more tourists, we hope to make a part of these estates as a tourist attraction as well as improve productivity,” explained Chairman of the Coconut Research Institute Professor H.P.N. Gunasena.

Professor Gunasena earlier this week held discussions with coconut growers from the private sector on how to increase organic fertiliser in coconut estates.

Professor Gunasena said that the use of organic fertiliser is being encouraged to reduce the use of chemical fertiliser and pesticides, as well as reduce the amount of fertiliser that has to be imported to Sri Lanka.

The private sector coconut estates are being encouraged to use coconut husks as well as manure for fertiliser.

Professor Gunasena also noted that these estates will be encouraged to take in more cattle and buffaloes to increase the amount of organic fertiliser.

“The organic coconuts will also be healthier as they are more natural and free from toxins,” stated Professor Gunasena.

“Organic coconuts are also a huge export product; so we hope the organic fertilizer will improve the export market as well,” highlighted Professor Gunasena.

Professor Gunasena however noted that the promotion of organic fertiliser was still in its infant stage and research was still being done to create a formula on the right quantities of organic fertiliser needed for coconut cultivation.

“Organic coconuts are healthy when compared to coconuts that have been grown with the use of chemical fertiliser,” noted Professor Gunasena.

The use of organic fertiliser is also being encouraged by the Minister of Coconut Development A. P. Jagath Pushpakumara.

Currently Sri Lanka records 394,000 hectares of coconut growing land out of which five percent is used for organic cultivation of coconuts.

“We want to increase organic cultivation to a substantial quantity,” he explained.

Among other plans Professor Gunasena also said that coconut estates were to be made into a tourist attraction — ‘coco tourism’— “as most of these estates are along the beaches we hope that more tourists will visit these estates and see how cultivation takes place with organic fertiliser, the recycling activities and thereby help the economy,” he explained.

Annually Sri Lanka produces 2,800 million nuts, out of which 2000 million coconuts are consumed by the local market and the rest is used for value added products for the export market.

“The remaining coconuts are used for producing desiccated coconut and coconut oil,” he added.

The demand however stands at 3,500 million coconuts per annum to meet the increasing local and foreign markets.

Professor Gunasena concluded that it was anticipated to increase coconut production by one million to meet the industry’s needs.