The Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure has taken steps to establish 250 coconut villages across the island within a period of three years under the “Ceylon King Coconut Village” national program.
The aim of this program is to take the country’s orange cultivation to a new level, increase production and productivity, and expand the international market for orange and related products.
Under this, it is planned to establish 75 orange villages in 2026, 80 villages in 2027, and 95 villages in 2028.
Addressing the “Ceylon King Coconut Village” national program held yesterday (02) in conjunction with International Coconut Day, Dr. Upali Pannilage, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, said that there is currently a large market for orange water-related products in the world market, valued at between $4 and $5 billion.
He also stated that this project will help capture a large share of that market, as this global market is predicted to double to nearly $10 billion in the next 10 years.