NCE promotes cooperative farms

In the absence of large land areas cooperative farming is the alternative, said President NCE Sarath De Silva.

He said that a proposal to establish cooperative farms in all regions has been handed over to Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Minister Rajapaksa was very positive about the proposal.

De Silva said that under the cooperative farming scheme, farmers can join and grow one crop in one area where a large harvest can then be obtained. Already we have established a model farm, and a processing centre and signed a buy back agreement in Mahawa in the Wayamba Province.

This is what we want to replicate in other regions as well.

Our country with 36 soil varieties and four temperature zones is suitable to grow almost any crop. It is a great opportunity and people are willing to cultivate in a scientific manner to get a higher yield.

He said that plans are underway to establish orchards to grow citrus varieties. At present 2-5 kgs per pluck is obtained from each lime tree and it can be increased to 30-60 kgs per pluck per tree by cultivating in a scientific manner.

The infusion of new technology is the best solution to increase volume and our members are in the process of infusing new technology.

The Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu concept launched by President Mahinda Rajapaksa has inspired people to grow fruits and vegetables and this will help the country in the event of a global food crisis. NCE has also launched a program to motivate university students to become entrepreneurs.

This will help fill the vacuum and also allow them to give employment to others in time to come, he said.

"All these measures will help us achieve the $ 20 b export revenue target by 2015," he said.

- SG