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| Sunday, 22 January 2006 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Controlled environment agriculture in Sri Lanka by Dr. S. K. D. Frank F. Niranjan, Prof. H. P. M. Gunasena and M. B. Sakalasooriya A survey by V. S. reveals that CEA has high potential for expansion in different agro-ecological regions of the country. However, the selection of different locations should be considered based on agro-ecological suitability to optimize production. CEA could be recognised as an intensive alternate system of agriculture, than open field agriculture, and if managed properly, high profits could be obtained. This system of production could also cater to specific local markets and diverse international markets. Therefore, promoting this sector will expand and diversify agricultural production in Sri Lanka. All hybrid varieties grown under CEA are imported. These varieties change very rapidly as a result of R and D on hybrids. These hybrids are available in the market at different prices, and local import policies permit their imports. The growers select promising varieties through cultivation however, the same varieties sometimes may not be available in the next season. (eg. bell pepper variety Aristotle). There should be a mechanism to ensure the availability of these promising hybrid varieties at least for few seasons. Otherwise growers will be testing the new hybrids imported by seed companies every season. Single grow bags are easy to prepare, low cost, durable and easy to handle. Risk of spreading soil borne diseases is relatively less with the use of single grow bags. Therefore, the use of single grow bags should be promoted for growing different types of vegetables. Soil sterilization should be continued on regular basis to prevent crop damage due to pests and diseases. Streaming of potting media appears to be the best practice for small-scale growers specially if family labour is available. Chemical methods (e.g. application of Basomid) can be recommended for medium and large-scale growers due to relatively easiness to practice, less labour requirement, and reasonable cost. Drip system is the most efficient method of fertigation due to its efficiency and demand for less labour. Therefore, this system should be promoted among the growers. However, for small-scale growers use manual method of applying fertilizer and water may be an option due to high capital cost for installing a drip system. The housing structures should be durable and in this respect, GI pipes are most suitable material for constructing them. In case of polythene and nettings, standard quality materials such as UV treated polythene and insect proof netting must be used. Use of proper structural material avoids unnecessary hassle of time-to-time placement of the polythene and nettings and general maintenance. Special devices such as exhaust fans, misters, aluminum nets should be used in warmer areas to maintain the temperature inside the net house. Grading To get a higher gross margin for CEA products, pre and post harvest technologies should be practised. The first stage of post-harvest operation is grading. Grading must be encouraged to achieve product differentiation and thereby promote value addition. Considering in the present level of packaging, further improvement of packaging of CEA products is an immediate requirement. Plastic crates can be recommended for packaging of perishable products, while corrugated boxes are more suitable exporting products, to the international market. Transparent plastic box is the best for packaging of strawberry and cherry tomatoes. Potential crops Establishment of a National Centre governed by a Board of Directors consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Export Development Board, Department of Agriculture, Associations of growers (eg. PAEA), Seed importers' and Producers' Associations and other input suppliers and marketing agents may support the development of this sector. This would facilitate information exchange on agronomic practices, crop varieties, marketing, credit and other important issues. EDB can act as the key institution for providing information especially on foreign markets, new customers, the newly introduced crops, current market demand, market competition and exporting countries etc. This strategy would generate necessary capacity for the National Centre to develop a year-round market oriented production system for potential crops. Branches of the National Centre should be established in districts where CEA is extensively practised (Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Kandy and Colombo). Market plan for CEA products should concentrate on year-round organised cultivations, which forward contracts with buyers. Growers should be grouped and potential crop varieties for a season should be allocated among these groups of growers according to a well-designed plan. Market links should be further strengthened with marketing agents, super markets, hotels and exporters through these centres. As marketing has been identified as a major problem, the National Centre should play a proactive role in developing marketing channels and linking the growers to these markets. Tourist season Since the demand for high-value crops is closely linked with tourist hotels, it will be desirable to plan production to synchronize with the tourist seasons. Peak tourist season lies in between September to March. This period includes festive seasons also. Peak demand for these crops can be seen during this period, hence, growers should be advised to increase production. Production during the off-season should focus on crops that have demand in the international market or target production for local markets during specific periods. Introduction and implementation of buy-back system is required and considered as a one of the solutions to the marketing problem. Super markets and hotels can be linked with growers through this buy-back system even to handle the sudden increases in supply. Regular market surveys should be carried out to identify future demand for CEA products, vegetables, fruits, foliage plants, cut flowers etc. Crop varieties should be identified which have the highest gross margin both in the local and international markets. |
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