North, a potential agricultural export hub
By Lalin Fernandopulle
Fruit and vegetable cultivation in the North has immense potential
for a vibrant export market given the fertility of the soil and the
skilled workforce, Deputy Provincial Director Department of Agriculture,
Jegadees Jehanathan told a seminar on creating awareness on the
potential of agriculture for producers and exporters.
It was organised by the National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) and the
International Labour Organisation (ILO) last week.
However, the lack of a stable market, low prices offered for the
produce and the absence of a link between producers and exporters are
impediments to tap the agricultural potential in the North, she said.
Banana, papaw, grapes, palmyrah and mangoes are some of the primary
crops in the Northern Province which could be developed for a vibrant
local and international market.
The fertile soil and the hard work of the people in the North has
helped sustain the agriculture sector to be a major contributor to food
production.
The areas suitable for the cultivation of bananas are Jaffna,
Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Vavuniya.
Fruit production in the Northern Province increased from around 9,000
mt in 2009 to 11,000 mt in 2014.
The Department of Agriculture has taken steps to promote tissue
culture banana cultivation in the North which has helped increased
production and benefited a large number of farmer families. Farmers have
resumed cultivation in many abandoned areas. Around 80 percent of crops
are organic cultivation, Jehanathan said.
She said that around 17,800 tissue culture plants were distributed
this year in the Northern province. Educational programs on good
agricultural practices such as planting, packaging and minimising
post-harvest loss were conducted to increase the yield per acre.
Potential areas for mango cultivation in the province are Vavuniya,
Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Jaffna and Mannar. The cultivation of Tom EJC
mangoes is being promoted for export. The two seasons for harvesting
mangoes are from May to August and November to January.
Papaw cultivation has thrived in the region with the demand for Red
Lady and Sinta varieties for the export market. Papaw is predominantly
grown in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya.
Jehanathan said that the other potential crops are lime, jak, passion
fruit, pineapple and palmyrah which could generate a large number of
employment opportunities and boost the local economy. Grapes has been a
perennial crop cultivated in the region with enormous potential for
development. The Israel Blue variety is grown in Jaffna, Kilinochchi and
Mannar.
The Agriculture Department has set a target to increase cultivation
and production for each crop under a three-year program which was
launched this year.
The extent of banana cultivation is to be increased from around 1,546
hectares to 1,846 hectares by 2017 and production from 46,380 mt to
55,380 mt, mango from 1,240 to 1,540 hectares and production from 12,532
mt to 13,090 mt, grapes from 117 to 147 hectares and production from
3,640 to 3,969 mt, papaya from 307 to 397 hectares, and production from
3,958 to 5,161 mt, pineapple from 12 to 57 hectares and production from
70 to 342 mt and passion fruit from 11 to 26 hectares and production
from 34 to 78 mt.
The assurance to purchase produce, supply of quality input such as
seeds and equipment, regular monitoring and inspection of quality
maintenance, collection centres at villages, price flexibility and
non-interference of middlemen are some of the major needs of farmers in
the North.NCE Vice President Ramal Jayasinghe said that the potential
for agricultural development in the North has been unlocked following
the peaceful and conducive environment for trade and investment.
“The doors are open to tap the potential and reach the global market
with quality products.
The rich soil and skills of people in the North should be harnessed
to develop a vibrant export market,” he said. |
