Sri Lanka: Hybrid coconut variety introduced in N'Eliya district

The Government plans to increase coconut export earnings from Rs. 18 billion to Rs. 50 billion within five years, said Plantations Minister D.M. Jayaratne. Jayaratne was speaking at the launch of the coconut planting campaign in the Nuwara Eliya district which is being undertaken for the first time.

A hybrid coconut variety developed by the Coconut Research Institute to suit the climatic conditions of Nuwara Eliya was planted in Haggala and Victoria Gardens on an experimental basis by Plantations Minister D.M. Jayaratne and Sports and Recreation Minister Gamini Lokuge. China provided necessary coconut genes for this purpose.

CRI officials sought Chinese assistance to develop a coconut variety after inspecting the coconut cultivation in Haina island in China where the temperature is below 5 Celsius. He said the people should actively be involved in the Government's campaign to transfer Sri Lanka into a verdant country.

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