06/07/2009 (The Island Online) - Out going Chairman Coconut Growers Association Parakrama Jayatilleke said at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) last week, that the recent decease to strike the industry, Asseria mite, and ‘Weligama wilt’, have devastated vast tracts of coconut plantations. Resesarch to counter these deceases have as yet not surfaced. This was the sad plight of the coconut industry Jayatilleke said.

Added to these woes import of palm oil have had negative impact on about 700,000 small holders who depend on coconut for their lively hood.

He informed the membership that his committee and he as Chairman lobbied woes of the Association with the President of this country, and at his level endeavoured to make positive impact to inveigle some action, but he said the sad plight was irrespective of high representations official action was all but non existent .

He was critical of politicians who although declaring their interest in the industry eventually side lined efforts to improve standing of approximately 500,000 small holders. These small holders are solely dependent on their meager income generated by their few trees of coconut and are now driven to penury. He said the coconut industry was driven by holdings large and small and without exemption all growers and small holders are literally ‘driven to the wall’.

A document was prepared by The Coconut Growers’ Association to overcome the present crisis which has been accepted by the Ministry, and the Treasury and he attributed tribute that the first part of this paper was implemented. He was also hopeful coconut growers too would benefit from the fertilizer subsidy as were other plantation sectors.

Future of the industry hinges on growers, and growers only. He therefore implied that assistance from official origins should not be restrained.

Minister of Plantation Industries D.M.Jayaratne, who was not present, had his statement read by Secretray to the Ministry.

He said importance of the coconut industry was wholly recognized by the government and conceded that it was now essential to strengthen coconut growers who have sustained the livelihood of many. He also said national income derived from the industry cannot be discounted. The programme launched to plant one million seedlings in seedling nurseries in every divisional secretariat was a plus factor in that direction.

However, Jayatilleke said regressive influences that plagued the industry were far from over, and deserved enhanced official support.

Minister Milroy Fernando was present and also addressed members of the CGA.