CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
COLOMBO (Daily Mirror) - Considering the high demand for quality Kithul treacle and jaggery, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera requested the Wildlife and Forestry Directors General to grant permission to those engaged in the Kitul tapping industry to tap trees in the wildlife and forest conservation areas.
Accordingly, the Wildlife and Forest Conservation Department has agreed to grant permission for Kithul tapping in these areas.
As there is a high demand for Kithul-related products in the international market, steps must be implemented to confirm the quality of the Kithul products.
The preparation of these rules and regulations have been completed, and the Kithul Development Board has taken steps to publish them soon.
The total number of Kithul trees in the country is three million, but only 20% is being tapped with the remaining 80% left untapped.
Due to the addition of sugar to certain products, the Agriculture Ministry has decided to introduce a series of new rules and regulations to ensure the quality of Kithul treacle and jaggery.
A situation has reportedly arisen where manufacturers are unable to sell their Kitul products due to the low quality of Kithul treacle and related products sold in the country.
Minister Amaraweera also said that the President, as the Finance Minister, has taken steps to provide more funds for the development of the Kithul industry in Sri Lanka in 2024 than in 2023.
In 2023, Rs. 2 million was allocated to the Kithul industry, but Rs. 24 million has been allocated for 2024.
