New dimensions of prosperity and welfare:

Vavuniya bustling with activity

By P. Krishnaswamy

The Vavuniya district which was home to devastated buildings, disconnected roads and everything lying in ruins three-and-a-half-years ago with all activities focused on the large number of displaced people in welfare villages, is now thriving.

The Vavuniya town is bustling with life and activity as a commercial hub while the rural areas of the district are immersed in agricultural activities under the many projects implemented by the Government to increase productivity.

Major development programs that were launched after the defeat and elimination of LTTE terrorism in May 2009 and were accelerated after the visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa consequently have made headway, transforming the district towards new dimensions of prosperity and people's welfare.

Paddy cultivation is now undertaken in an extent of 18,544 ha. of land and the annual production has reached 83,000 tonnes. All abandoned arable lands have been cleared and used for cultivation. The target for paddy cultivation by 2016 is 129,200 tonnes. This target is projected to be achieved through the renovation of more irrigation tanks, increasing quality seed paddy, using organic fertiliser and more efficient irrigation technology, according to reports from the Vavuniya Secretariat.

Focus has been laid on increasing agricultural productivity, primarily because Vavuniya is an agricultural region with fertile soil and irrigation facilities. The cultivation of paddy and Other Field Crops (OFC) have been undertaken in larger areas after the clearing of abandoned arable lands.

Banks and post-offices have started functioning in the town and its suburbs.

A seed store

Cleaning the Vavuniya tank

Cultivating paddy in formerly abandoned land

OFC are presently cultivated in a land extent of 9,060 hectares and the annual production is 11,000 tonnes. The targeted achievement by 2016 is 23,200 tonnes. This, again, is projected to be achieved through improved technology and by using abandoned land.

The fruit crop cultivation at present is 10,700 tonnes and is targeted to be increased to 24,000 tonnes by 2016. Vegetable cultivation is presently undertaken in a land area of 30 ha. and is projected to be increased many-fold by 2016. Other methods for increasing production of OFC will include improved varieties of seed and planting materials, use of organic fertiliser and by providing machinery to farmers. A 'chilli special expansion program' will be implemented to reduce the import of chillies. Seven acres of land in Navi, one acre in Kanagarayankulam and 57 acres in Kallaru have been earmarked for implementation of the program.

Seed production

The Government Seed Production Farm has enough stocks of mangoes, grafted mangoes, oranges, lime, jak, papaw, drumsticks, and vegetable seedlings. The farm expenditure is Rs.4.3 million, farm income is Rs. 5.67 million and the stock in hand is worth three million rupees.

Machinery distributed among the farmers include 113 sprinklers, 1,024 water pumps, 100 four-wheel-tractors, 74 two-wheel-tractors, 410 sprayers and 260 crates. A total of Rs.2.497 million was allocated this year for various agricultural-related projects of the provincial special development fund such as community-based fundamental seed production village project, ground nut crop coordination project, ground nut production project, chilli expansion project, black gram production project, Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu project and red onion cultivation project. A total of 2,608 persons will benefit under these projects.

According to reports from the Director of Development for the district, all disconnected, damaged and dilapidated highways and roads, including rural roads, have been renovated and rehabilitated. Ninety percent of de-mining has been completed and all displaced families have been resettled.

Over 4,985 families comprising 17,993 persons have been resettled in the Vavuniya Divisional Secretariat area; 1,377 families comprising 4,516 persons have been resettled in the Vavuniya North Divisional Secretariat area, 3,926 families comprising 12,638 persons have been resettled in the Vavuniya South Divisional Secretariat area while another 1,641 families comprising 6,021 persons have been resettled in the Vengadacheddikulam Divisional Secretariat area.

RDD/C&D Class roads extending 112.32 km have been rehabilitated at an expenditure of Rs.96.464 million under the Uthuru Vasanthaya program for 2009, under 16 projects. Twelve projects under the Land Commissioner's Roads Projects and 47 projects under ACLG/Rural Roads Projects were completed at a total expenditure of Rs.180.391 million and the length of road covered is 150.92 km.

For 2011, the number of projects completed under the UC is five and the total expenditure is Rs. 40.12 million. For 2012, the number of projects completed under the UC is three and the expenditure is Rs.46.24 million.

Under the Vavuniya South Tamil Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) five projects were completed in 2011 at an expenditure of Rs. 32.49 million. This year nine projects were completed under the PS at an expenditure of Rs. 46 million.

Three projects under the Vavuniya South Sinhala PS were completed at an expenditure of Rs.51.50 million last year and this year, five projects were completed by the PS at an expenditure of Rs.64 million. Under the Vavuniya North PS, one project was completed at an expenditure of Rs.37 million for 2011 and five projects were completed for 2012 at an expenditure of Rs.269.24 million.

Under the program of increasing agricultural productivity in the district, three major irrigation tanks and 48 minor tanks have also been rehabilitated under the Uthuru Vasanthaya program for 2009 at an expenditure of Rs.71.831 million. A total of 306 projects have been completed at an expenditure of Rs.253.75 million during the period 2006 - 2011 under the Gama Neguma programs.

Divi Neguma

Under the Divi Neguma 2011 program, 25,200 seed packets and plants were supplied to farmers at an expenditure of Rs.0.19 million. Over 20,450 coconut plants were supplied at an expenditure of Rs.1.12 million. Over 3,000 cashew plants were distributed at an expenditure of Rs.0.35 million. These were under fund allocations from the Ministry of Economic Development.

Four projects at an expenditure of Rs.0.28 million were implemented by the Samurdhi Authority.

Under the Divi Neguma 2012 program, 12,450 packets of seeds/plants, vegetable and fruit plants and poultry were supplied at a cost of four million rupees by the Ministry of Economic Development.

Under the Accelerated Crop Production program, Rs.3.16 million was allocated for seed production programs. A sum of Rs. 1.5 million was allocated for production of seed red onion, sesame seeds, ground nut, chilli and black gram.

Under the Samurdhi Development Program, aimed at improving the livelihood of the poor to make them join the national development process, assistance was extended to 11,248 families and the total expenditure is Rs.202.02 million. The number of livelihood development programs implemented is 13,158 and the total investment is Rs.57.29 million. The number of Samurdhi Bank societies is seven and the total Samurdhi Bank investment is Rs.136.75 million. The total number of persons to whom bank loans were extended is 12,127 and the amount is Rs.185.69 million. A total of 119 infrastructure development projects were implemented at a cost of Rs.55.48 million.

The sluice at the Irrataperiyakulam Scheme was constructed and facilities provided for irrigation to 203.21 Ha land. The irrigated area under the Pavatkulam Tank Scheme is 1,673.44 Ha.

The Rajendramkulam Tank, Maruthamadhu Tank and the Eropothana Tank were renovated and an irrigation canal was constructed from the Pavatkulam Tank.

Thirteen medium tanks were renovated at a total cost of Rs.440 million. Future plans for 2013-2016 under provincial irrigation include rehabilitation of the balance four tanks at a cost of Rs.100 million, introducing OFC for Yala under eight schemes at a cost of Rs.100 million and de-silting of tank beds (to impound 100 acres of dead storage) at a cost of Rs.120 million.

Four rice mills were established at a cost of Rs. 63.6 million and were installed with machinery.