The Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure has officially initiated measures to establish 250 king coconut villages across Sri Lanka over a three-year period under the “Ceylon King Coconut Village” national programme.

The initiative aims to steer the country's king coconut cultivation in a new direction, boost production and productivity, and expand Sri Lanka’s international market for king coconut and related products.

Accordingly, under the initiative, plans are in place to establish 75 king coconut villages in 2026, 80 villages in 2027, and 95 villages in 2028.

Addressing the “Ceylon King Coconut Village” national programme held yesterday (02) in conjunction with World Coconut Day, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Dr. Upali Pannilage stated that the global market for king coconut water-related products is currently valued at between USD 4 billion and USD 5 billion.

He noted that the global market is expected to double to nearly USD 10 billion over the next decade, adding that the project would provide Sri Lanka with an opportunity to secure a significant share of this expanding market.

The Minister further emphasised that the programme would help increase the incomes of rural coconut growers and the income level of villages while creating a significant number of new employment opportunities in the sector, thereby contributing to efforts to eradicate rural poverty.

Dr. Pannilage also noted that Sri Lanka earned nearly USD 14 billion from merchandise exports last year, with total earnings reaching USD 17.2 billion, including services, IT, and tourism sectors.

However, he pointed out that the country had to spend nearly USD 22 billion on imports, stressing that the “Ceylon King Coconut Village” programme could contribute to narrowing the trade gap in the future.