Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2012-02-29

FAO - TEC Project - Development of Capacities for Early Diagnosis, Surveillance, Spread Prevention and Integrated Management of Weligama Coconut Leaf Wilt Disease

- the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has provided US $307,000 for the prevention of Coconut Leaf Wilt Disease prevailing in the Southern Province. The FAO has granted this assistance to review the entire management programme, to develop strategies for quick diagnosis of the disease, to device an integrated management programme for the purpose, create farmers' awareness through demonstrations in the affected Districts of Galle, Matara and Hambantota and to initiate a resistance breeding programme. The proposal made by Hon. Jagath Pushpakumara, Minister of Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development, to implement the project through the Coconut Research Institute, was approved by the Cabinet.