THARANGA 2017
Figure1. Cross section of oil palm fruit
Palm oil is extracted from the fleshy outer layer( mesocarp) of the fruits and palm kernel oil is extracted from the kernels( seed) of the palm. These two oils( palm oil and palm kernel oil) are deferent in its chemical and physical properties. Palm oil has become one of the highly used vegetable oils. Firstly palm oil is used in edible fats, manufacturing of soup and other detergents, candle and tinplate industries. Secondly palm kernel oil is highly used in manufacturing of edible fats and soap. Palm kernel oil is very similar to coconut oil.
The residue left after extracting the oil from kernels, palm kernel cake is valuable in the formulation of animal feeds. In the future palm oil will become important as a source of energy( bio energy), renewable resources for producer countries as well as to the entire world. It is identified as reliable fuel for automobiles. Palm oil is already being produced more cheaply in many countries than their pump price of fossil fuel. Therefore future potential demand for palm oil will be well secured.
Oil Palm in Sri Lanka Oil palm( Elaeis guneensis) was first introduced to Sri Lanka well over a century ago
Palms which are over 35 to 40 years old can be seen at peradeniya, Agalawatta, Ruwanwella, and Udugama
The first Oil Palm nursery in this country was established at Nakiyadeniya in 1966 and a total of 150 ha had been planted by 1972
First Oil Palm refinery factory was established at Nakiyadeniya estate. By 1981 the area under Oil Palm had expanded to 870 ha All these are grown under rain fed conditions
First commercial Oil Palm plantation in Sri Lanka is Nakiyadeniya Estatae located in wet zone which contains Red Yellow Podzolic soils
By year 2000, it was further expanded to 03 Regional Plantation Companies( RPC) in Kalutara and Matara districts. The second Oil Palm refinery factory( AEN) was established in Kalutara district in year 2007.
Very recently there are two small holder farmers reported from Kalutara district.
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