Friends of Lanka conserve indigenous food crops

Friends of Lanka, a non governmental organisation operating in the Kegalle district has conserved a large number of indigenous food crops threatened with extinction and started commercial cultivation.

These plants and food products were displayed at the exhibition organised by the Human and Environment Development Organisation (HEDO) to mark the World Environment Day in Kegalle last week.

Friends of Lanka is the umbrella organisation for 11 sub organisations in each Divisional Secretariat (DS) division of the Kegalle district. The participatory Development Centre (PDC) in the Rambukkana DS division has successfully conserved 30 local banana varieties.

The PDC model farm for banana and the laboratory with tissue culture breeding facilities is ready to provide quality banana plants for all 30 varieties. PDC is also trying to improve the quality and yield of traditional banana varieties.

Director of the PDC G. Sirisena said that his organisation can supply planting materials and provide consultancy services for banana growers.

PDC has developed various banana products such as Banana cake, biscuits, bakery products and banana chips and the products are marketed by Rambo Food Manufacturers (Pvt) Ltd. These food products consist of 70% ripe banana and are rich in nutrition value and taste. At present the production is carried out by Small Groups organised by the PDC, Sirisena said.

The Community Development Centre (CDC), another sub organisation of Friends of Lanka operating in the Aranayake DS division has conserved 45 indigenous yam varieties and started commercial cultivation.

Director of the CDC Damayanthi Godamulla said that 200 farmers in eight villages grow these yams for their consumption and sale.

The CDC has analysed the nutritional value of these yams and Godamulla said that most of these yams are nutritionally richer than potato. CDC has also developed various yam products such as sweets and chips.

The People's Development Foundation (PDC) in the Dehiovita DS division has a project to conserve local green leaves and medicinal plants.

The Director of the PDC R.N.Kasturi said that the objective of the project is conservation of bio diversity, food security and to provide income generating opportunities to the people. The projects are funded by the United Nations Development Program.

GW