Fonds LK-NA/112 - Coconut Marketing Board

The Coconut Marketing Board was established on 30th, March, 1972 under the Coconut Development Act No. 46 of 1971. The Board consisted of a Chairman and Five appointed by the Minister of Coconut Industries, The Functions and Powers of the Board were to develop the productivity of Coconut Cultivation and to improve Animal Husbandry on Land in Coconut Plantations. To improve the manufacture of Coconut Products and the promotion of new techniques ill the processing of Coconut products. To Formulate and Implement Minimum and Maximum price Schemes and price Stablisation Schemes for Coconut products in general. Conducting of Market Research into all aspects of the transport and marketing of coconut products within and outside Sri Lanka. Conducting and furthering of Scientific Research regarding Cultivation of Coconut, Guiding and Advising the Coconut Industry on all aspects of a technical nature. After it was established. the Board succeeded in several matters: (1) Price stablisation scheme for Coconut Oil under which the Board functioned as the sole Buyer of Coconut Oil from Millers for Export (2) Supervision and direction of Export Trade in all Coconut Products. (3) Organisation of an Internal Marketing Scheme for the benefit of small Coconut Producers in particular.
Under the Coconut Development Regulation No. 1 of 1972, the Board registered the Shippers and Dealers of Coconut Products. In 1974 there were 283 shippers and 361 Dealers. Most Shippers were registered for the following Coconut Products, Copra, Coconut Oil, Desiccated Coconut Fresh Nuts, Choir Fibre, Coconut Shell Charcoal, Coconut Shell Flour and Pieces Ekels etc.
Tile Coconut Products Trading Committee consisting of Members of the Association of Millers, Shippers and Brokers of Coconut Products was formed for the purpose of reviewing problems arising in the day to day trading in Coconut Products and to device suitable measures to overcome such problems. The Board Participated in International Trade Fairs and Exhibitions as part of its Export promotion activities as a result of these the Board received a number of Trade Esquires from Foreign Companies.