South Asia

coconut fix: Offering relief to coconut growers in southern Sri Lanka whose plantations have been wiped
out by a fungal disease, the country's cabinet approved a crop diversification project in affected areas. Under the plan, cinnamon, tea and rubber
will be cultivated in destroyed coconut farms. Dairy farms will also be promoted in the areas. Initially, the project will cover 3,000 hectares (ha) in
Southern Province. The aim is to diversify at least 15,000 ha of affected coconut farms over five years. The government has allocated Rs (LKR)
750 million (US $6.8 million) for the project. Coconut earns foreign exchange for the island nation.