Fonds LK-NA/193 - Coconut Research Institute

The Coconut Research Institute was originally known as the Coconut Research Scheme. This was established under the Coconut Research Ordinance No. 24 of 1928. The Scheme became operational in 1929. The title was altered to 'Coconut Research by Act No. 37 of 1950.
The next development was the Coconut Research Act No. 46 of 1971 which made provisions for the establishment of the Coconut Development Authority with separate Boards for various sub-sectors of the industry. Accordingly, Coconut Research Board was set up in 1972 and the administration of the institute was brought under the board.
The institute was under the Ministry of Agriculture until it was transferred to the Ministry of Plantation Industries in 1972. On 15.9.1978 a new ministry was established for the Coconut Industries and the Coconut Research Board was brought under the supervision of this new ministry.
Research and development in the growth and cultivation of coconut palms, development in the growth and cultivation of coconut palms, coconut based cropping systems and the processing of coconut products and by products are the primary functions of the Board. Moreover, the Board acts as a Center for the collection and dissemination of information on coconut research and others engaged in the Coconut Industry in Sri Lanka and abroad.
The research activities of the Board are organised into seven divisions. Namely Agronomy, Biometry, Botany, Crop protection, Genetics & Plant Breeding, Soils & Plant Nutrition and Coconut processing. These technical divisions are serviced by library, Coconut Information Centre, information Service Unit and Administrative, Financial, Engineering and Estate Management Service. Provides necessary information and services to carry out the functions of the above mentioned technical divisions