Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya informed Parliament yesterday (05) that the ongoing coconut shortage has resulted from the lack of a comprehensive government policy on coconut cultivation.
She stated that the current administration is developing a structured policy to enhance coconut cultivation and has already initiated several short-term programs to address the issue. Additionally, she confirmed that the government has allocated increased funds in this year’s budget to support coconut cultivation.
The Prime Minister highlighted that institutions under the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure are actively working to boost coconut production. Measures include testing for high-yield coconut varieties, identifying effective agricultural practices, providing technical guidance to control pests and diseases, and proposing policies to strengthen the coconut sector. These efforts aim to prevent future shortages and ensure a stable supply of coconuts.
