The government will establish 250 King Coconut villages across Sri Lanka over three years, beginning with 75 villages this year, aimed at boosting coconut sector productivity and export earnings.
Sri Lanka's Plantation and Community Infrastructure Ministry has announced a new nationwide initiative to establish 250 King Coconut villages, with the programme set to launch on International Coconut Day, September 2. According to Minister Samantha Vidyaratna, the first phase will see 75 villages operational this year, followed by 80 in 2027 and the remaining 95 in 2028.
The "Ceylon King Coconut Villages" programme was developed through collaboration between government agencies, the private sector, and the Coconut Cultivation Board. Officials describe the initiative as part of broader efforts to increase export earnings, create employment opportunities, and support poverty reduction efforts across rural communities.
The programme encompasses both new cultivation and rehabilitation of existing King Coconut trees. The ministry has identified approximately 221,500 existing trees for rehabilitation, with plans to provide fertiliser subsidies of Rs. 700 per tree. For new cultivation, 212,500 King Coconut plants have been allocated across the 250 villages, with each village required to establish at least 1,000 new plants on residents' land. Individual growers will contribute Rs. 150 per plant, while the government and the Coconut Cultivation Board will cover the remaining Rs. 600 of the estimated Rs. 750 cost per plant.
The national launch will take place at a nursery in Makandura, Kurunegala district. About 20 of the 75 first-phase villages are expected to commence activities on September 2, with full operations across all 75 villages anticipated within one to two weeks. Vidyaratna cited growing global demand for coconut products as a key opportunity driving the expansion.