The national programme “Ceylon King Coconut Village,” implemented by the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, is scheduled to be launched tomorrow (02) at the Mahayaya Estate premises of the Coconut Cultivation Board in the Kurunegala District.
The primary objectives of this initiative are to expand king coconut cultivation in the country, increase production and productivity, and expand international markets for king coconut and related products.
Under the programme, 250 king coconut villages are scheduled to be established island-wide over a three-year period: 75 villages this year, 80 villages in 2027, and 95 villages in 2028.
The main targets of the programme are to increase Sri Lanka’s annual king coconut production by 25 million nuts and increase export revenue from king coconut and related products by more than USD 12 million by 2030.
To encourage king coconut farmers, a financial subsidy of Rs. 700 per tree will be provided for the rehabilitation of existing king coconut trees.
Furthermore, although the cost of a single king coconut sapling for new cultivation is Rs. 750, steps will be taken to provide saplings to farmers at a subsidized price of Rs. 150 each.
Plans have been made to rehabilitate 20,300 king coconut trees and plant 37,500 new king coconut saplings in 2026. The targets for the 2026–2028 period include planting 212,500 new saplings and rehabilitating 221,500 existing king coconut trees.
The initial phase of the programme will be implemented in 75 villages this year, covering the districts of Monaragala, Matara, Kurunegala, Kegalle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Puttalam, Ratnapura, Hambantota, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Matale, Galle, Batticaloa and Kandy.
In addition, the programme will include the establishment of a formal data system covering king coconut growers, collectors, and exporters; the provision of irrigation facilities for 500 acres of king coconut cultivation; and the expansion of income and employment opportunities related to king coconut farming.
Another objective of the “Ceylon King Coconut Village” national programme is to improve the living standards of 21,250 families by creating new income and employment opportunities related to king coconut cultivation, collection, transportation, processing, and export.
Through these measures, the programme is expected to strengthen the incomes of rural communities and enable them to become direct stakeholders in the country’s economic growth.
