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Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) production contributes to the national economy of Sri Lanka. It is grown in fairly dense shade and generally cultivated under coconut and rubber. Although cocoa production remains a source of revenue, it is no longer a main economic sector. The great part of cocoa cultivation occurs in the Matale, Kandy, Badulla, Kurunegala, Kegalle and Monaragala districts. The first cocoa plants were introduced to the country in 1819.[1] Recent years cocoa production has increased by nearly $22.6 million (2015).[2]
In 2019, the country ranked 30th of largest cocoa producers in the world. cocoa production was at 1,499 tons from an area of 2,000 hectares (4,942 acres), at a yield rate of 7,499 hectograms per hectare.[3] In other lands shade crop such as Dadap are used. Out of two cocoa varieties, viz. Forastero and Criollo, the former is more widely grown although the quality of Criollo is better. The first cocoa plants introduce to Ceylon in early 1890. British established the first cocoa plantation in Nalanda, Matale district. Cocoa was cultivation in about 30,000 acres in 1960. [4] Cocoa is mostly cultivated in the Central, Uva, North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces. Around the 300 plants per acre could be planted at a spacing of 10'x 14'. Cocoa can be picked from the fourth year. The main crop is obtained from October to January, with a smaller crop in May to July. Yields vary from 100–200 kg (220–440 lb) per ha under the heavy shade.[5] With minimum shade, the yield could go up to soo[clarification needed] kg/ha. A number of diseases, viz. stem canker, pod-rot and swollen shoot tend to decrease yields. The helopeltis bug is the most serious pest and it attacks the pods causing a considerable yield loss.[6]
Economy of Sri Lanka