The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, replies are as follows:

¶ 02 (i) Reasons for yield decline: 1. Changes in climatic patterns and extreme events (high temperatures, heavy rains, prolonged droughts). 2. Non-application of fertilizers to coconut over prolonged periods. 3. Pests and diseases (e.g., coconut whitefly, Brontispa, Weligama coconut leaf wilt and rot). 4. Wild animal damage to plantations and harvest (around 200 million nuts lost annually). 5. Low grower incentives for investment due to: a) High costs of fertilizers and inputs; b) High energy costs; c) Shortage of trained labour for specialized operations; d) Volatile farm-gate prices. 6. Ageing stands in traditional areas; youth migration/alternative employment; neglected maintenance. 7. Parceling/fragmentation of coconut lands and conversion to non-agricultural uses.

¶ 03 (ii) Responsible institutions under the Ministry of Plantation and Rural Infrastructure: - Coconut Research Institute (CRI) - Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB) - Coconut Development Authority (CDA) - Kapruka Fund - Chilaw Plantation Company - Kurunegala Plantation Company

¶ 04 (iii) Measures and outcomes:

¶ 05 Coconut Research Institute: - Conducts R&D on agronomy, high-yielding varieties, pest/disease management; issues recommendations. - Develops technologies for coconut-based industries; policy proposals. - Maintains breeder/seed gardens; produces and certifies quality planting materials with partners; nursery oversight; extension of pest-control recommendations and technology transfer.

¶ 06 Coconut Cultivation Board and Kapruka Fund: - Annual planting programmes for home gardens and systematic planting to sustain a productive tree population. - Field projects and training for growers on technical practices. - Provision of inputs for pest and disease control at concessionary prices. - Credit and grants for development. - Establishing a new coconut triangle in the Northern Province. - Rapid response to outbreaks with control operations.

¶ 07 Coconut Development Authority: - Public awareness to reduce domestic wastage and improve utilization.

¶ 08 Chilaw and Kurunegala Plantation Companies: - Commercial-scale coconut cultivation.

¶ 09 These measures are under monitoring; some are successful, some ongoing, and some face constraints against targets.

¶ 10 (iv) Government measures:

¶ 11 Short term: - Ensure supply of chemical and organic fertilizers. - Implement pest and disease control programmes; provide inputs at concessionary prices; awareness on prevention and control. - Disseminate technical know-how via mass and social media to growers. - Restore home-garden palms and promote meeting household needs from home gardens. - Provide coconuts at concessionary prices.

¶ 12 Medium term: - Rehabilitate existing coconut lands. - Replant ageing stands with new seedlings. - Provide support to coconut cultivation in the forthcoming Budget.

¶ 13 Long term: - A ten-year roadmap and five-year strategic plan for the coconut sector are being prepared with UNIDO, targeting by 2030 a supply of 4,200 million nuts and export earnings of USD 1,500 million, through sector-wide stakeholder participation. - Expand coconut into non-traditional areas with irrigation support to sustain a productive population. - Remove senile stands in traditional areas and expand underplanting/replanting; establish a Northern coconut triangle. - A coordinated programme among agencies to mitigate animal damage to harvest. - Implement a home-garden coconut programme to meet household demand.