NDB empowers over 200 cinnamon growers in Sabaragamuwa

NDB's Kurundu Kavaya, a micro financing scheme to sustain the livelihoods of cinnamon home growers was extended to the Sabaragamuwa province with the distribution of Divi Aruna micro loan facilities to selected cinnamon cultivators and prospective entrants to the industry from villages in Ratnapura, Balangoda and Embilipitiya.

The micro loan facilities at concessionary interest rates will encourage small scale growers to remain in the industry.

A training session was held following the distribution of loans.

I.K Ruwansiri of the Cinnamon Research Centre, Thihagoda, spoke on effective and efficient methods of cinnamon cultivation for the benefit of small scale growers.

Deputy Director of the Ministry of Export Agriculture, Keerthi Weeralal shared his expertise on soil nutrient restoration and management techniques that would result in ideal soil conditions for cinnamon growth.

Assistant Director, Cinnamon Research Institute, Matale, Ms.Thushari Liyanage said micro level growers should get involved in the forward integration of the cinnamon industry.

Manager Refinance, NDB, Kapila Deshapirya, outlined the significance of Sri Lankan Cinnamon and its export potential, while NDB Micro Finance Officer, Ms. Shalika Priyangani spoke on the technicalities of the micro loan facility.

NDB's Kurundu Kavaya is part of the 'Grow Cinnamon' campaign which was inaugurated in Ambalangoda a few months ago, with the disbursement of microfinance facilities to over eighty selected growers.

The Kurundu Kavaya program is due to be extended to cinnamon growers across other regions in the country with the support of the Ministry of Minor Export Crop Promotion and Department of Export Agriculture.

NDB's Kurundu Kavaya program was initiated with the Bank's 'Cinnamon to the world' project. NDB pioneered 'Cinnamon to the World', to empower cinnamon growers, exporters and cinnamon related product manufacturers in the country to stimulate cinnamon export growth in Sri Lanka.