Sri Lanka’s ongoing coconut shortage has been exacerbated by high temperatures during the first three months of this year and a growing toque macaque population, according to Professor K.K.I.U. Arunakumara, Head of the Department of Crop Science at Ruhuna University.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Professor Arunakumara revealed that the number of coconut plants cultivated annually in Sri Lanka has declined to just seven million.
While 92 countries globally produce coconuts, Sri Lanka ranks fourth. However, nations like India and the Philippines produce far larger quantities.
“A report by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research found that high temperatures from March to June negatively impacted coconut harvests. The ideal temperature for coconut trees is 27–28°C, but when it exceeds 33°C, pollination declines, leading to reduced yields,” Professor Arunakumara explained.
He noted that Sri Lanka faces similar challenges as India, where extreme heat has significantly lowered coconut harvests.
Additionally, Professor Arunakumara emphasized the role of toque macaques and giant squirrels in worsening the crisis. “About 10% of the coconut harvest is destroyed by these pests, with toque macaques causing the most damage due to the absence of natural predators,” he said.
He stressed the need to balance animal populations. “When humans interfere with nature, they must also control other animal populations to maintain balance. This is a common practice in other countries.”
The professor also highlighted a significant drop in coconut cultivation:
- Only one-fourth of the coconut trees planted in 2012 were cultivated in 2020 and 2021.
- Over the past 25 years, there has been no increase in the 1.1 million hectares dedicated to coconut plantations.
“The current coconut shortage is not a sudden issue but the result of developments over the past 25 years. With improved rainfall, the situation may ease, but government intervention is needed to increase yields by providing adequate fertilizer,” he said.
Measures to Address the Shortage
To tackle future shortages, Professor Arunakumara proposed several measures:
- Controlling pest populations, including toque macaques and squirrels.
- Improving cultivation practices to boost yields.
- Planting more coconut trees to meet rising demand.
“Short-term pest control and long-term efforts to expand coconut cultivation are essential to overcoming this crisis,” he concluded.
Source – dailymirror.lk
