May 31, Colombo: Sri Lanka Ministry of Plantation has launched a program to increase the coconut plantations by 20,000 acres a year. The government has allocated Rs. 1,130 million for the project, a Ministry spokesperson said.

About 1.4 million coconut trees will be newly planted in the first year with the allocation of Rs. 180 million for this year. Fertilizer and plants will be provided to the farmers to encourage coconut cultivation.

The Ministry has launched another program to identify the low harvesting cultivations and to replant them with high quality coconut varieties. Another Rs. 100 million has been allocated for it in this year, the Ministry said.