‘Divi Neguma’ to plant four million coconut saplings

Thursday, 31 May 2012 01:17 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa declared that steps will be taken to plant four million coconut saplings countrywide under the ‘Divi Neguma’ National Program.

Minister mentioned that actions have been taken to distribute approximately two million saplings in 2011 under the ‘Divi Neguma’ program.

The Minister expressed these views at a discussion held at the Ministry of Economic Development for making aware all district planning directors regarding the ‘Divi Neguma’ program.

Accordingly, steps were taken to distribute each two coconut plants for selected household units for the ‘Divi Neguma’ program in Divisional Secretariats located in all island areas in which coconut crops can be planted and the number of coconut plantations which has newly added to the country equals to the amount of 30,000 acres.

While four million coconut saplings are proposed under the ‘Divi Neguma’ program for 2012, arrangements of the nurseries of coconut plants has been commenced, declared the Ministry of Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development.

The main objective of the Government is to create a home garden with economic value which goes beyond the limits of the home garden by planting the crops with economic value such as tea, coconut and rubber up to the extent of two acres in the home garden in creating domestic cultivations of domestic economic units under the ‘Divi Neguma’ program in 2012.

Accordingly, it has been proposed to cultivate empty crops in coconut plantations surrounding home gardens and to newly start the plantations. Under this, it is proposed to be given coconut plants. During 2012 expected number of acres for planting coconuts is 600,000.

While various matters have been arisen recently in coconut industry, thereby the government has initiated numerous programs by drawing the consideration to the coconut industry. Under this prominence has been given to the activities increase of coconut production by granting fertiliser subsides for coconuts, planting empty plants in existing coconut plantations and commencing coconut plantations newly.

These activities will be carried out under the supervision of Minister of Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Jagath Pushpakumara and Secretary to the Ministry Anura Siriwardhana.