Disease threat with coconut imports

(December 24, 2010) Sri Lankan agro scientists point out that the import of coconut from India may affect local coconut cultivation with new diseases.

Dr. K.P. Premarathna of Agriculture Faculty of Peradeniya University said to media that diseases might spread with the coconut imported from India.

Sources said that the Kerala state from where coconuts are imported to Sri Lanka had a large number of communicable coconut diseases.

The coconut cultivations of the Southern Province of Sri Lanka has been affected by a dangerous disease and the Coconut Development Board has already banned taking parts of coconut tree from the province to other areas.

The agricultural scientists say that the authorities had to consider this issue as well prior to importing coconut to bring down the prices.

Posted in Coconut , coconut diseases , coconut imports