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industry?
For the past year and more, the consumers had to undergo severe hardship due
to the price increase of coconut, an essential item in daily food, which cost
around Rs. 30-40 two years ago, climbed to Rs. 100-120 and is still climbing.
The British distributed lands taken over (sold at low prices) for cultivation of
coffee (later tea), rubber and coconut. Westerners used to cold climates happily
accepted upcountry lands, but were reluctant to locate in hot dry regions for
coconut. Lands were accepted by the enterprising locals, mostly Sinhalese.
Muslims preferred trading and did not wish cultivation.
The United Front Government came into power in 1970, launched the Land
Reform Law of 1972, under which all individuals and companies owning highland
in excess of a ceiling of 50 acres and paddy lands in excess of 25 acres were to
declare and hand over their estates to the State. The Government took over the
estates, but had not given thought to control and development thereafter.
Management of estates taken over were given to political stooges, quality and
production dropped dramatically and years later some lands were handed over to
plantation corporations. Worst of all, the workers’ discipline crashed overnight,
destruction had been done. Plantation companies came much later.
In land area wise, from a peak of 1.15 million acres in 1962, area under coconut
decreased to 976,000 acres in 2002. In 2006 ‘Weligama Wilt’ was reported in the
south and resulted removal of 300,000 palms at the initial stages and more in
repeated cycles.
Shortage of coconuts
The current shortage of coconuts is attributed to poor rainfall during past two
years affecting especially the Kurunegala District, the major producer of coconut
in the country. The shortage of coconut was not a sudden occurrence. Over the
years, coconut production dropped due to:
B. Formerly, most estates were cared by owners residing in the estates. With the
restriction on admission of children to popular schools based on distance, estate
owners moved to Kurunegala, leaving plantations with caretakers, resulting in
drop in management, fertilising and production.
Government response
With the increasing price of coconut in the market, the Government imposed
price control declaring the maximum selling price of a coconut as Rs.75 per nut,
forcing most shops to stop selling. Others display few very small coconuts at the
controlled price. When inquired, shop keepers would offer bigger coconuts from
the shop rear at a higher price.
Extracts from an article by Pathirajah, a PhD Candidate from CRI, with a professor
and two staff members from an Australian University, Published in Australia in
January 2015.
“Coconut requires a well distributed rainfall throughout the year. However, there
are two peaks and two stress periods in the intermediate zone due to the bimodal
monsoon rainfall. In the dry zone, there is a longer dry period since rainfall is
received from one monsoon. Therefore, soil moisture conservation is an already
established adaptation strategy in coconut plantations.
“Irrigation during the water deficit or drought periods is identified as the most
effective adaptation, having a potential to increase yield by 30 percent. However,
this is restricted by the availability of water for irrigation during the drought. The
other factors that determine water requirements are soil type, soil moisture
availability, relative humidity, evaporation and transpiration and age of the plant.
Water sources for irrigation are open wells, tube wells reaching deep
underground water reservoirs or ponds. Sprinkler irrigation is identified as
suitable for commercial scale nurseries. Drip irrigation is the most suitable
method since it has advantages on efficient water use, fertiliser application
(fertigation) and less labour cost. However above methods involve high capital
investments.” End of extract.
“According to available data from 2003 to 2010 crops have been affected owing
to variations in rainfall and the depth of the water table. Last year, the rainfall
received in November was more than the total rainfall that was received in the
previous 10 months. The data also shows how the rainfall and the depth of the
ground water drastically affects the coconut crop. This is the main reason why we
are facing a severe coconut shortage after the middle of 2010. In the same
manner we can predict a much worse shortage of coconuts in 2011.
“The methods adopted to increase the profitability of the land should be:
Irrigate the coconut trees when the ground water level drops below six
feet from the surface. This applies to sandy soil otherwise it should be
done at about five feet. The application of irrigation also depends on the
height of the trees, as taller trees need more energy to draw water up to
the crown, and should be done before the water levels drop below 6 feet.
Grow intercrops in between the coconut plantation.
Utilise available land for animal husbandry.” End of quote.
Drip irrigation
It is clear that coconut plantations are extremely sensitive on availability of water.
But until now none of the responsible institutions in Sri Lanka recommended or
encouraged growers to drip-irrigate their plantations. However, the research
candidate from CRI along with Australian teaching staff identifies drip irrigation is
needy, especially when rainfall fails.
The high efficiency of drip irrigation results soaking of water into the soil before it
evaporates or run off. Also the water is only applied where it is needed, (at the
plant’s roots) rather than sprayed everywhere.
Drip irrigation is known to save about 30-40% water with 38-40% increase in yield
compared to basin irrigation system apart from conserving soil and reducing the
competition from weeds for water and nutrients. Through fertigation, we can
achieve efficient utilisation of both water and nutrients.
1. NBT on domestic coconut oil and kernel products will be removed for a period
of one year.
Discussion
Coconut plantations are extremely sensitive on availability of water and the yield
depends on timely supply of water and fertiliser. Under best of weather
conditions, between Yala and Maha and vice-versa are dry periods, when trees
could benefit from water. Past weather patterns show irregularities of rains are
common. Thus coconut plants would extremely benefit from drip-irrigation
facilities and increased incomes would far outweigh costs.
According to the Indian experience, drip irrigation would yield 38-40% increase in
yield compared to basin irrigation system. In our country basin irrigation is
unheard and the plants are at the mercy of rain-gods. Thus drip-irrigation would
ensure doubling of current yields, apart from saving trees dying and wilting during
droughts.
Way forward
When the Finance Minister presented the ‘Blue-Green’ Budget, if the authorities
responsible for coconut plantations requested support for drip-irrigation, the
Minister would have surely obliged. Even now, if the coconut cultivators,
members of the coconut industry who depend on coconut supplied from growers,
suppliers of drip-irrigation equipment, along with Government coconut
authorities (if they are willing) make representatives to the Minister of Finance
and the Prime Minister, financial support for the installation of drip-irrigation
systems would be a possibility. The Prime Minister wished to issue rods for fishing
and supporting drip-irrigation would be along with his thinking, especially when
Provincial elections are around the corner.
The proposed subsidy for the installation of drip irrigation systems would cost the
Government. But from the moment of installation, each coconut plantation would
achieve freedom from harsh weather. In 15 months plantation would yield higher
production, the industry will be saved and the population will enjoy lower
coconut prices, a win-win situation for all.
Posted by Thavam