NVQ Certificates offered to Palmyra toddy tappers for the first time in Sri Lanka

For the first time, the Palmyrah Development Board and the National Apprenticeship Board have taken steps to award national vocational qualifications certificates to those involved in the palmyra toddy tapping industry in Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, after formal training, 1500 people in the Northern and Eastern Provinces engaged in the Palmyra toddy tapping industry were awarded National Vocational Qualifications Certificates (NVQ 3) yesterday (19). In the presentation of certificates held at the Ministry of Agriculture under the patronage of the Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera, certificates were presented symbolically by the minister to 06 people engaged in palmyra toddy tapping industry in the areas of Jaffna, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Kilinochchi.

Also, a program was started jointly with the Bank of Ceylon to grant a loan amount of Rs. 05 lakhs under the concessional interest.

The National Apprenticeship Board has provided special training in life safety, risk management, etc. for these toddy tappers.

Speaking here, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera requested that these National Vocational Qualification Certificates (NVQ 3) be given to those engaged in the coconut and kithul toddy tapping industry. Accordingly, the National Apprenticeship Board said that the syllabus required providing the same training to the people engaged in the coconut and kithul toddy tapping industry in this country has already been prepared.

Currently, there are 11 million palmyra trees in our country, but only 30 percent of them are being used properly. Sri Lanka is the country with the second largest number of palmyra in the world. Although India is the first country with the largest number of palmyra trees, Sri Lanka produces the largest number of palmyra-related products. Sri Lanka also has the only palmyra research institute in the world.

There is a high demand for palmyra toddy and palmyra liquor in our country in the international market. At present, they export palmyra toddy and liquer to countries like France, Canada and Dubai and earn an amount of 45,000 USDs annually.

Dr. Krishantha Pathiraja, Chairman of Palmyra Development Board, participated in this event.

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