Exhibition to showcase Mahaweli produce

by Shirjiv SIRIMANE

For decades Mahaweli farmers have been silently contributing to the economy of the country; their produce was exported, bringing large amounts of revenue to Sri Lanka.

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and Director General Mahaweli Authority P.M.C. Dissanayake at a stall

Products on display

Director General of the Mahaweli Authority, P.M.C. Dissanayake said that one of the biggest problems the farmers faced was the lack of a market which do not bring them much revenue.

"What the farmers do is sell the produce in the village itself.

Some times the middle man makes a bigger profit than the farmer," he said.

In a bid to iron out this problem the Mahaweli Authority under the guidance of Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management Nimal Siripala De silva is hosting, for the first time an exhibition of Mahaweli produce at the Vihara Maha Devi Park.

The objective of the fair and exhibition is to create a direct market for the products of the Mahaweli farmers and act as a link between Colombo and the Mahaweli area.

"It will expose the Mahaweli farmer to the city and help them not only to get a high price for their produce but also to find buyers and even investors to move ahead."

He said some colombo businessmen have already entered in to joint partnerships with Mahaweli farmers while some have already formed direct sale links with Colombo entrepreneurs and even factories.

The Mahaweli Janadivi Aruna trade exhibition commenced on Friday and will conclude today. Entrance is free.

Over 200 stalls are on display and Dissanayake said a unique feature of this exhibition is that it offers products that could never be purchased in Colombo. "There are varieties of rice Rath Thambili, Suwandel, Mawil and Masuran which are now almost extinct. These traditional rice varieties which are very healthy are on sale here.

He said similarly, the Tome JC mango tree, which produces a 500 gram mango sold at around Rs. 800, is also on sale here. We have sold over 5,000 of these trees".

The Mahaweli Janadivi Aruna trade exhibition will also have handicrafts and other items produced by Mahaweli farming families. Ornamental fish are another attraction at the exhibition.

One of the exhibitors, H.M.C. Bandara of Thuru Sevana Nursery in System B said that he cannot meet the demand for his products. "The chilli and vegetable plants are very much in demand," he said.

This is the first time he is participating in an exhibition of this nature in Colombo.

The Minister said that the success of the exhibition has prompted them to make this an annual event.