Massive improvements in agriculture planned

Twenty five thousand hectares of herbal farms will be established in the North and East under the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine.

In addition 20,000 hectares of land will be cultivated with ginger, tumeric and citronella in Ampara, Kilinochchi, Hambantota and Trincomalee districts. Approximately 0.2 mln hectares of land will be cultivated with pulses, tubers and cereals countrywide.

Plans are afoot to make the country one of the best quality production centres for floriculture products in the world. In cut flower production high quality new hybrid varieties imported will be used as mother plants and a number of nurseries will be modernised with tissue culture apparatus.

Around 1500 floriculture villages will be established in the Western, North Western and Central provinces. 30,000 jobs will be generated in rural and suburban areas. With this the share of exports of cut flowers and foliage will increase significantly during the decade.

Government seed farms at Kundasale, Aluththarama, Malwatta, Karadiyanaru, Kantalai, Maha Illuppallama, Peedru, Kandapola, Meepilimana, Udaradella, Rahangala, Polonnaruwa, Paranthan and Jaffna will be developed with modern technology with plans to increase the yield. Buffer stocks of certified seeds will be maintained ensuring an uninterrupted supply of seeds, said a report issued by the Finance and Planning Ministry.

There is also a necessity for developing a competitive and regulated seed industry by involving the private sector in seed production and distribution. Strict quarantine regulations will be in place when importing seeds by enacting the Seed Act to protect and safeguard domestic agriculture.

The traditional role of bank credit in agriculture to fund seasonal production will be reversed with the budgetary decision of 10 percent mandatory lending to the agriculture sector by commercial banks.

The Central Bank will also promote refinance schemes to support agriculture development in several districts. To further strengthen this sector new credit schemes will be introduced to the farmers in addition to the 10 percent mandatory lending requirement.

Research and development relating to agriculture will be expanded from problem identification and productivity improvement in the sector.

Research institutes will be developed providing infrastructure facilities and new technological equipment.

Human resources will also be developed and strengthened by linking the knowledge hubs. Extension approaches will be developed using social marketing concepts to add value through ICT.

In addition awareness programs will be developed to disseminate research findings among farmers and the potential farmer community.

Agro tourism will be popularised among tourists while visitors will be given the opportunity to harvest and taste fresh fruits, vegetables and paddy inside the farm. Large scale orchards with entertainment facilities for relaxation and enjoyment will be established at locations where tourists are attracted.

The price for fertiliser is high in the international market. The import of fertiliser creates an unnecessary pressure on the BOP. Therefore, locally manufactured fertiliser using Eppawala rock phosphate will be promoted.

The government plans to popularise fruit juices instead of carbonated soft drinks. Modern fruit processing factories will be set up in Gampaha, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Hambantota, Badulla, Kilinochchi, Kandy and Kalutara. Bottled tropical fruits and vegetables will be exported in different forms.

SG