The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I table the answer.

¶ 02 Answer tabled:

¶ 03 (a) (i) Yes.

¶ 04 (ii) The project commenced in 2023 centered in the Northern Province. To date, approximately 10,000 acres (around 640,000 seedlings) have been planted. In 2025, 16,000 acres are to be planted under the project, with a total target of 50,000 acres in the Northern Province by 2027. Accordingly, by 2030 the Northern Coconut Triangle is expected to contribute to national coconut production.

¶ 05 Project objectives include: 1. Increasing annual coconut yield by approximately 135 million nuts. 2. Ensuring domestic household supply to enhance food security. 3. Increasing annual export revenue from coconut-based products by USD 70 million. 4. Improving livelihoods in the North by increasing income from coconut. 5. Establishing coconut-based industries in the area, facilitating local and foreign investment. 6. Promoting intercropping in coconut lands to enhance productivity.

¶ 06 (iii) Average annual production is around 3,000 million nuts, of which 1,800–1,900 million (about 60%) are consumed domestically and 1,100–1,200 million (about 40%) go to industry.

¶ 07 (iv) Measures being implemented to enhance productivity, production and quality, and to develop the entire value chain include:

¶ 08 Short-term: - Allow import, under TIEP (duty rebate) scheme for re-export processing, of quantities equivalent to 200 million nuts in forms such as chilled coconut milk, desiccated coconut inputs, etc., directly by manufacturers to cushion consumer and industrial impact of low crop and high demand. - Permit import of cut and dried kernel with testa (not copra) by coconut oil producers under CDA regulation, directly or via State Trading Corporation, to mitigate low-crop impact on the local oil industry. - Distribute 27,500 MT of Muriate of Potash (MOP) received via WFP/Russian grant as APM(W) coconut fertilizer at a concessional price of Rs. 4,000 per 50-kg bag, sufficient for 300,000 acres. - Conduct awareness for growers on using and producing organic fertilizer as per Coconut Research Institute (CRI) recommendations. - Implement pest and disease management with inputs at concessional prices and farmer awareness. - Disseminate technical extension via media and social media. - Promote home garden coconut planting and rehabilitation to meet household needs. - Install water supply/irrigation systems in existing coconut lands to secure short-term yield. - Public awareness to minimize household-level wastage via Coconut Development Authority (CDA). - Supply coconuts at concessional prices from state lands (Coconut Cultivation Board, HAPL, Kurunegala Plantations, CRI) through Sathosa and direct to consumers.

¶ 09 Medium-term: - Rehabilitate existing coconut lands. - Replant with new seedlings replacing senile palms and fill vacancies. - Promote export-oriented intercrops in coconut for better land use and returns through model plots. - Pest and disease control measures including: • Provide predatory mites at concessional rates and awareness programmes area-wide; • Provide mist blowers free of charge when necessary for whitefly control; • Supply red/black weevil pheromone traps at concessional rates and conduct integrated control; monocrotophos treatments for red weevil.

¶ 10 Further measures: - Provide parasitic wasp tubes at concessional rates for coconut mite control. - Identify and treat diseased trees for bronzti (brontispa) control; remove/treat infected trees for Weligama Leaf Wilt in affected zones. - Implement pest and disease control via regional offices. - Establish a disaster management centre for contingency responses in coconut.

¶ 11 Long-term: - Expand coconut cultivation with irrigation in non-traditional areas, including the Northern Coconut Triangle, aiming for about 40,000 acres in 2025–2027. - Provide concessional finance to industry via CDA schemes (e.g., Kapruka Jaya Isura) and the Kapruka Fund. - With UNIDO and all stakeholders, prepare a 10-year roadmap and a 5-year strategic plan targeting supply of 4,200 million nuts domestically by 2030 and export revenue of USD 1,500 million. - Implement moisture conservation in coconut lands. - Coordinate programmes to mitigate wild animal damage to crops. - Implement a home-garden coconut programme to meet household needs.

¶ 12 (b) Not applicable.