Suwahas Mal to promote jasmines

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

The Suwahas Mal program conducted by the Department of Botanical Gardens promotes the cultivation of jasmine plants in suitable districts.

At present Sri Lanka imports significant quantities of jasmine to meet local needs, such as, religious and other special occasions. "

The climate in the dry zone is ideal to grow jasmine varieties and if we could cater to the demand in the local market the country could save much foreign exchange," said Dr. Shelomi Krishnarajah, Deputy Director of Floriculture Research of the Department. This year the program expanded to the Anuradhapura district which is suitable to grow jasmine varieties on a large scale. "The Anuradhapura district has a high potential for a variety of dry zone plants including jasmine which has a big demand locally," Dr. Krishnarajah said.

The Suwahas Mal program, jointly with the Divi Neguma program under the Economic Development Ministry, promotes the Floriculture Industry of the Country.

So far the program mainly promoted exporting ornamental plants, cut flowers and foliage as there is a demand for tropical varieties in the world market.

As the next step, the program plans to broaden its perspective to areas of demand besides using plants and plant material for ornamental purposes.

The Suwahas Mal program is active in the Hambantota, Gampaha, Kalutara, Puttalam, Kandy, Matale, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Ratnapura districts with the participation of professional flower growers in the areas.