|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 7 March 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Grape cultivation thrives in Hambantota by CHANUKA MANNAPPERUMA The agriculture Department has given a new lease of life for poverty
stricken farmers in Hambantota by introducing grape cultivation.They A total of 40 grapevine could be grown in an extent of 1/4 acre and, in the southern and central areas of Hambantota, nearly 75 acres had been cultivated. In the first harvest, each creeper yielded one kg and, after pruning was completed, the yield would increase up to 12 kg from the second harvest, he added. The farmers sold a kilogram of grapes ranging from Rs. 200 to Rs. 250 from the initial crop harvest. This was indeed a good income. The Ruhunu Development Board was assisting grape cultivation along with the Southern Provincial Council by way of cash and kind for the benefit of the poor peasants in the area. The provincial council had allocated a sum of Rs 90 lakhs with concrete bars, wire mesh, coir ropes, fertiliser etc, to promote grape cultivation. There were many varieties of grapes such as Israel blue, Cardinal, Kabul, Mascut, Black currant. "But in Hambantota 80% was cultivated with Israel blue and 20% with Cardinal," De Silva added. At present, Anuradhapura, Vavuniya, Neelabamma and Jaffna were considered as the main grape cultivating areas in the country while imported grapes came mainly from India. "In the year 2000, we imported 2500 metric tonnes (mt) of grapes from India," he said. "We are still not in a position to reach the export market",but hope to do so in the near future. However, at present we have a very good local market," he said. The main buyers for Hambantota grapes were from tourist hotels around Tissamaharama, Matara and Galle and pilgrims from Kataragama. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
have
embarked on this as it is a profitable venture, said Assistant Director,
Department of Agriculture, Hambantota, Senani de Silva.The Agriculture
Department commenced grape cultivation in 2001 as a pilot project to
ascertain whether the crop would grow in the Hambantota climate, added De
Silva. Since it was a success, grape cultivation was started in Hambantota
on a commercial basis and, at present, there were nearly 42 acres grown in
Bandagiriya and Yodhakandiya, two main areas.
