Steps will be taken to establish an Agriculture and Plantation Research University by merging all institutions connected to the plantation industry and agricultural sector, as per President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s concept, Plantation Industries and Industries Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said.

Speaking during a press conference themed ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ held at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) yesterday (24), he said the fundamental draft related to this has already been prepared, and that the basic work is expected to be completed this year.

Dr. Pathirana further said that the government is prepared to offer the assistance required to expand the plantation industry’s value chains and that the Ministry will provide technological know-how and financial resources.

New laws to improve coconut industry!

Meanwhile, a law will be brought in the near future that states that a special permission must be obtained to divide coconut lands of more than one acre in order to improve the country’s coconut industry.

“For that, we hope to follow up again on the instructions of President Wickremesinghe. Additionally, the law requiring the authorization of the Divisional Secretariat and the Grama Niladhari shall be enforced if more than two coconut trees are to be cut down,” he said.

In recent times, apart from tea and rubber, coconut-related products have seen the highest growth. Compared to 2020, the market has expanded by approximately 15%-20% in 2021 and 2022. Accordingly, in 2022, it was able to earn an export income of 836 million dollars.

It can reach a value close to that this year as well. Within the next five years, there is a high probability of increasing the export income of coconut-related products to 1.5-2.00 billion dollars.