|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 16 February 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Program to help low country vegetable growers A low country vegetable cultivation program will get off the ground on March 16 at the Homagama electorate and will later expand to areas such as Avissawella, Maharagama, Kesbewa and Kaduwela. This will help vegetable growers in these areas as they now have a ready market established at the Meegoda Dedicated Economic Centre, said Minister of Rural Economy and Deputy Minister of Finance Bandula Gunawardena. He said: "The economic centre has been more successful than expected. We have more plans to develop it and the rural economy." To cater to growing demand, the centre will be expanded in the second stage, using the adjoining land owned by the State. Cecil Foods Manufacturers will initiate a project to dehydrate and export fruits while the Export Development Board and the Sri Lanka Fruits and Vegetable Producers, Processors and Exporters Association will establish two export processing villages to collect the village produce which will be processed and exported. Plans are also under way to collect garbage from the site and make organic manure which will not only help the farmers, but also be a solution to the garbage problem at the centre. The Minister said: "We have been able to reduce the prices of vegetables, fruits and fish in the Western Province by establishing the centre. Using the Railways to transport goods will further bring down prices of goods such as flour. We are also planning to have discussions with CGR officials to see the possibility of increasing train frequencies on the KV line." "Regarding traders moving to the retail sector after purchasing goods at wholesale prices, we are considering all possibilities and will take a decision in the near future," he added. The centre was established to create competition in the wholesale trade and educate consumers on the prices, thereby reducing prices and the vehicle congestion in Colombo. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
