Hon. K. V. Samantha Vidyaratna

¶ 01 The Coconut Development Authority has stated that the Coconut Products Ordinance, No. 13 of 1935 recognized the coconut industry as an industry, and that subsequently the Coconut Fibre Act, No. 17 of 1967 and the Coconut Development Act, No. 46 of 1971, which is currently in operation, can be identified as key milestones in the coconut industry.

¶ 02 The highest coconut yield recorded over the past 50 years was in 2022 (3,351 million nuts). The yield in 2025 was 2,806 million nuts, representing a decrease of 545 million nuts compared to 2022. The reasons contributing to this decrease are: - Climate change (e.g. prolonged droughts) - Insufficient fertilizer application - Wildlife damage - Pest damage

¶ 03 In 2012, the Coconut Cultivation Board cultivated 9.73 million coconut seedlings. Accordingly, the estimated extent of land under cultivation is 152,031 acres.

¶ 04 Based on the Agricultural Census, 2014 and the number of seedlings distributed by the Coconut Cultivation Board from 2014 to 2025, the estimated acreage under coconut cultivation is as follows:

¶ 05 District Acreage: - Colombo 22,886 - Gampaha 133,701 - Kalutara 24,280 - Kandy 13,015 - Matale 36,296 - Nuwara Eliya 2,342 - Galle 21,150 - Matara 18,605 - Hambantota 51,124 - Jaffna 15,092 - Kilinochchi 8,500 - Mannar 3,875 - Vavuniya 8,282 - Mullaitivu 8,914 - Batticaloa 13,204 - Ampara 12,885 - Trincomalee 10,795 - Kurunegala 432,996 - Puttalam 195,293 - Anuradhapura 33,872 - Polonnaruwa 10,814 - Badulla 8,897 - Monaragala 32,181 - Ratnapura 47,273 - Kegalle 35,847 - Total 1,202,119

¶ 06 National coconut production (million nuts): - 2021: 3,382.90 - 2022: 3,351.80 - 2023: 2,944.00 - 2024: 2,745.00 - 2025: 2,806.00

¶ 07 District-wise coconut yield in 2025 (average annual yield per palm; total yield in million nuts): - Puttalam: 49; 514 - Kurunegala: 43; 991 - Gampaha: 39; 283 - Colombo: 41; 47 - Kalutara: 41; 50 - Galle: 50; 52 - Matara: 42; 42 - Hambantota: 34; 89 - Batticaloa: 47; 29 - Trincomalee: 56; 27 - Kegalle: 37; 69 - Ratnapura: 55; 136 - Anuradhapura: 61; 104 - Polonnaruwa: 63; 33 - Monaragala: 50; 82 - Badulla: 50; 21 - Kandy: 51; 34 - Matale: 41; 80 - Nuwara Eliya: 51; 5 - Jaffna: 46; 27 - Kilinochchi: 47; 18 - Vavuniya: 44; 16 - Mullaitivu: 45; 18 - Mannar: 25; 4

¶ 08 The gap between the total yield and the estimated yield over the last five (5) years:

¶ 09 - 2021: Estimated 3,353.1; Actual 3,382.9; Gap -29.8 (Actual higher by 1%) - 2022: Estimated 3,219; Actual 3,351.8; Gap -132.8 (Actual higher by 4%) - 2023: Estimated 2,957; Actual 2,944; Gap +13.0 (Actual lower by 0.4%) - 2024: Estimated 2,683; Actual 2,754; Gap -71.0 (Actual higher by 3%) - 2025: Estimated 2,838; Actual 2,806; Gap +32.0 (Actual lower by 1%)

¶ 10 As per data published by the International Coconut Community (as at 22.04.2026), the five-year mean values (2019-2023) of annual coconut production (million nuts) in major producing countries: - India 20,456 - Indonesia 14,526 - Philippines 14,760 - Sri Lanka 3,111 - Brazil - Papua New Guinea 1,483 - Vietnam - Mexico 908 - Thailand 647 - Malaysia 576

¶ 11 Accordingly, Sri Lanka ranks fourth in terms of coconut production.

¶ 12 Practices recommended by the Coconut Research Institute to be adopted during dry periods in coconut cultivation.

¶ 13 For coconut seedlings: - Irrigation for seedling cultivation. - Providing shade for seedlings in nurseries. - Pitcher irrigation: two water-filled pots are buried on either side of the plant and refilled every few days. The side of each pot facing away from the plant is sealed or painted, while the unpainted porous side allows water to seep out and supply water to the plant. - Collecting and tying the leaves of newly planted coconut seedlings. - Monitoring Red Weevil damage. - Removing drooping fronds. - Mulching around the manure circles of both coconut seedlings and bearing palms. - Paying attention to bud rot in coconut seedlings due to high day and night temperatures and providing early treatment at the initial stage.

¶ 14 For mature cultivation: - Mulching around the manure circle using coconut fronds, coconut husks, weed trash, straw or any plant material. - Adopting moisture conservation practices such as coconut husk and coir pith pits. - Applying organic matter. - As dry conditions may lead to an increase in coconut leaf caterpillar and whitefly damage, attention should be paid to this and necessary recommendations should be sought at an early stage.

¶ 15 As recommended by the Coconut Research Institute, the following practices should be avoided in coconut cultivation during dry periods: - Planting coconut seedlings in the field without irrigation facilities. - Applying inorganic fertilizer. - Soil-exposing activities such as harrowing, ploughing and cutting husk pits. - Weed control, intercropping and minimizing grazing by animals.

¶ 16 Practices recommended by the Coconut Research Institute to be adopted during rainy periods in coconut cultivation: - Applying fertilizer and new planting of coconut seedlings in the field. - Constructing or repairing contour drains and drainage channels; when constructing drainage channels, a gentle slope and incorporating barriers can improve water infiltration into the soil. - Mulching around coconut palms using coconut fronds, coconut husks, grass clippings or any other plant material. - Adopting moisture conservation practices such as using coconut husk pits. - Adding organic matter. - Rainwater harvesting: collecting rainwater in pits during the rainy season allows it to be used during dry periods.

¶ 17 Export income from coconut-based products (Rs. million; USD million): - 2021: 166,034.02; 834.12 - 2022: 262,933.94; 816.99 - 2023: 228,720.07; 700.47 - 2024: 257,921.14; 854.93 - 2025: 368,036.24; 1,222.19

¶ 18 Main export destinations: - 2021: United States of America; Germany; Netherlands; China; United Kingdom; Canada; Japan; Australia; India; Mexico - 2022: United States of America; Netherlands; China; Germany; United Kingdom; India; Canada; Japan; United Arab Emirates; Australia - 2023: United States of America; Germany; Netherlands; China; United Kingdom; India; United Arab Emirates; Canada; Mexico; Australia - 2024: United States of America; Germany; Netherlands; China; United Kingdom; India; Canada; United Arab Emirates; France; Mexico - 2025: United States of America; Germany; Netherlands; China; United Kingdom; India; Canada; United Arab Emirates; France; Australia

¶ 19 Contribution of major countries to total export income (%): - 2021: 64 - 2022: 64 - 2023: 63 - 2024: 63 - 2025: 65

¶ 20 According to data from the Coconut Cultivation Board, the estimated number of employment opportunities exceeds 700,000 (in the coconut industry and cultivation sector).

¶ 21 Coconut Cultivation Board

¶ 22 Over the past 10 years, the Coconut Cultivation Board implemented the following extension programmes related to coconut cultivation: - Conducting group extension programmes: 16,400 programmes - Individual meetings: 554,174 meetings - Multi-approach programmes: 20 programmes

¶ 23 Under the multi-approach extension programme, awareness workshops were conducted for growers and issues in coconut lands were identified with the objective of providing more comprehensive extension services to growers.

¶ 24 Official website of the Coconut Cultivation Board: - The official website (coconutsrilanka.lk) provides technical advice on coconut cultivation (including coconut seedling varieties, planting and maintenance, intercropping and animal husbandry, smart agriculture, etc.), as well as the organizational structure and corporate information. Growers can download needed information and directly contact relevant extension officers.

¶ 25 Coco App: - A mobile application (“Coco App”) has been developed and popularized among the public. It includes all technical advice related to coconut cultivation, enables growers to access knowledge at any time, provides updated information, and allows submission of field issues to extension officers. The app can be downloaded on both Android and iPhone platforms.

¶ 26 Instant Information Service 1916: - A trilingual hotline (1916) has been established to provide advisory services for technical issues faced by coconut growers and information on services of the Coconut Cultivation Board.

¶ 27 1920 Hotline Service: - Through the 1920 short code hotline, advice on issues related to coconut cultivation is provided by experienced technical officers.

¶ 28 Coconut Fortnight (Pol Desathiya) Extension Programme – 204 programmes (2025): - Implemented nationwide as a mobile initiative covering all districts, with the primary objective of developing coconut cultivation at the grassroots level in close proximity to growers and addressing key challenges and issues through field-level programmes.

¶ 29 Establishment of Farmer Leader Units – 198 units (2025): - Farmer Leader Units are being established island-wide as regional centres to facilitate access to inputs and coordinate labour support when needed. Demonstration plots covering all coconut cultivation management practices provide necessary knowledge to growers.

¶ 30 Subsidies provided to coconut growers: - Subsidies for planting coconut seedlings under proper cultivation - Subsidies for infilling - Subsidy for providing coconut seedlings required for home gardening - Subsidies for rehabilitation of coconut lands - Water pipe subsidy - Intercropping subsidy - Subsidy for maintenance of coconut seedlings planted under proper cultivation - Subsidy for protecting coconut plantations from wild animals

¶ 31 Coconut Development Authority

¶ 32 Over the past 10 years, the Coconut Development Authority has implemented various research and development programmes to promote growth in the coconut and coconut-based products sector, identify consumption trends, and formulate extension strategies aligned with modern market requirements.

¶ 33 1. Research programmes: - National-level survey on coconut oil production and consumption - Analysis of coconut consumption patterns and household-level usage trends - Survey to identify small, medium and large-scale entities based on coconut oil production capacity - Research on the use and market growth of packaged coconut milk and coconut milk powder - Provincial-level consumption analysis (coconut, coconut oil, coconut milk, coconut milk powder)

¶ 34 These research studies enabled identification of public food habits, regional variations and emerging market opportunities.

¶ 35 2. Modernization programmes: - Introducing new products to promote the use of packaged coconut milk and coconut milk powder - Raising public awareness on healthy coconut oil use - Promoting value-added coconut products (e.g. coconut milk powder, coconut milk, coconut cream, virgin coconut oil) - Introducing packaging methods to meet market requirements

¶ 36 3. Extension programmes: - Awareness programmes through social, electronic and print media - Regional workshops and training programmes - Trade exhibitions - Consumer awareness promotional campaigns - Awareness programmes within government institutions for public employees - Sales promotion programmes targeting local and international markets - B2B meetings - Providing loan facilities to uplift industrialists

¶ 37 Outcomes: - Increased public awareness of coconut and coconut-based products - Reduced household coconut wastage - Increased use of packaged coconut milk and coconut milk powder - Expanded domestic market and increased export opportunities - Higher export income - Improved capacity to identify regional consumption patterns and formulate policies

¶ 38 Bank loan facility: - A loan scheme called “Kapruka Jaya Isura” has been in operation since 2012 to support development of existing industries, implemented with financial institutions. Through the Regional Development Bank, about Rs. 500 million has been provided to approximately 500 industrialists during 2015–2025, at an annual interest rate of 6%.

¶ 39 Grants/subsidies: - In 2022, under the Livelihood Development Programme: - 31 industrialists received drying machines - 17 industrialists received assistance for drying yards - Under the Action Plan, subsidies for drying machines were provided: - To 31 industrialists in 2021 - To 11 industrialists in 2022 - Under the Action Plan, assistance for drying yards has been provided to 200 entities since 2017 - In 2025: - Rs. 100,000 per person was granted to 23 industries producing coconut treacle, coconut jaggery, coconut sugar and coconut ice-cream - Rs. 250,000 per person was granted for 18 eco-friendly coconut shell charcoal stoves - Assistance provided for coir rope twisting machines and coconut shell charcoal stoves - District-level training programmes conducted - Technology exchange programmes conducted - Support provided for establishing the Coconut Triangle in the Northern Province - Island-wide awareness programmes implemented to obtain GMP quality certificates; many industries have already obtained GMP certification

¶ 40 Accordingly, over the past 10 years, research, innovation and extension programmes implemented by the Marketing Development and Research Division have made a significant contribution to strengthening the coconut industry on a scientific and market-oriented basis.

¶ 41 Coconut Research Institute

¶ 42 The Coconut Research Institute has issued recommendations and conducted research to increase coconut yield and enhance the productivity of coconut cultivation in the following areas: 1. Genetically improved coconut production 2. Methods to minimize impacts of climate change on coconut cultivation 3. Methods to improve soil quality 4. Fertilizer application 5. Research on pest and disease control in coconut cultivation 6. Research on production of value-added products in the coconut industry 7. Research on the health benefits of coconut products 8. Research to support policy decision-making in the coconut sector 9. Collection of all data related to the coconut sector 10. Analytical services required by stakeholders and customers in the coconut industry 11. Maintenance of seed gardens for the production of hybrid and high-quality coconut seeds 12. Establishment and supervision of coconut seed gardens for hybrid seed production in collaboration with the private sector 13. Certification of coconut seedlings 14. Production and distribution of parasites, predators and pheromones for pest and disease control 15. Forecasting and estimation of national coconut production 16. Collection of meteorological data and submission to the national data system

¶ 43 Does not arise.