Minister Samantha Vidyarathna has announced that 36,000 acres will be allocated for new coconut cultivation this year, with 16,000 acres designated for the Northern Coconut Triangle and the remaining 20,000 acres spread across other regions.
Speaking at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Plantation and Community Infrastructure held on March 5, 2025, Minister Vidyarathna outlined several key initiatives aimed at boosting coconut cultivation. Deputy Minister Sundaralingam Pradeep also participated in the discussions.
Key Measures to Boost Coconut Production
- 2.5 million coconut seedlings will be produced in 2025.
- 27,500 metric tons of MOP fertilizer (from a 55,000 metric ton donation by Russia) will be used to produce 56,000 metric tons of mixed fertilizer for coconut cultivation.
- A subsidized fertilizer program will offer 50 kg sacks of mixed fertilizer at LKR 4,000, compared to the market price of LKR 9,500.
Estate-Sector Housing & Infrastructure Development
- Under the Indian Aid program, 4,700 new estate houses will be built in 2025 as part of the 10,000-housing project.
- The government has pledged greater transparency in selecting housing beneficiaries, prioritizing families in landslide-prone areas.
- LKR 1.3 billion in domestic funds will be allocated for estate housing and infrastructure.
Future Plans & Production Targets
Ministry Secretary Prabath Chandrakeerthi presented an overview of the plantation sector’s performance and goals, including:
- Identifying 30,000 hectares of underutilized plantation lands for investment.
- Setting 2025 targets for key exports:
- Tea: 275 million kg (compared to 262 million kg in 2024).
- Rubber: 78 million kg, despite a decline in exports.
- Coconut: 2,875 million nuts.
Concerns Over Quality & Sustainability
Discussions also addressed challenges in maintaining Sri Lankan tea and cinnamon quality, particularly due to excessive use of glyphosate. MPs also raised concerns about:
- Tea fertilizer quality standards
- Promoting cashew cultivation
- Other critical plantation issues
With these measures, Sri Lanka aims to strengthen its plantation sector, enhance export earnings, and ensure sustainable agricultural growth.
