|
Novel project in Hambantota:
Lankan grown Chinese vegetables
There is a discernible difference in the Chinese kitchen at the
Hambantota harbour construction site. The cooks as well as the diners
are very happy! The reason is Sri Lankan grown Chinese vegetables. The
feeling must be the same as getting your hands on a good polos curry in
London.
 |
|
Sharing innovation with
other stakeholders |
Over 60 farmers in Hambantota are involved in providing Chinese green
vegetables to the Chinese workers at the harbour construction site.
"These vegetables are not available in the normal Sri Lankan market,"
said Agil Hewadeegana, Chief Engineer, Southern Port Development.
Imported Chinese green vegetables are not fresh and would also mean
spending large amounts of money. "Between 200 and 350 Chinese work at
the harbour site," said Hewadeegana, "This is a great source of
alternate income for the farmers of Hambantota."
The project has been the result of JICA livelihood improvement, which
has already reached its phasing out stage in Hambantota. The program
focuses on agriculture, infrastructure and institutional development and
income generation.
Development process
"Our attempt was to get the people in the area involved in the
development process. We discussed their problems and derive solutions
from their own suggestions," explained Dr. Thilak T. Ranasinghe, Deputy
Chief Advisor, JICA SouthCAP.
A drastic drop in land area has occurred in Hambantota due to various
development projects such as the harbour, cricket ground and other
infrastructure projects taking place. "This is why we introduced the
concept of Family Business Gardening and diversifying of crops", said
Dr. Ranasinghe.
The JICA SouthCAP team of experts was able to identify a new niche
market for Chinese green vegetables in the Chinese workers involved in
the construction of the harbour. They liaised with the Chinese workers
and also helped find funding for the project.
Thriving business
Farmers of the Methsevana village in the Koholankala Grama Niladhari
division and Keliyapura, Hambantota started cultivating Chinese
vegetables for these Chinese workers in February 2009. Since then, their
business has thrived, with each farmer earning up to Rs. 15,000 per
month from a 15-perch area, cultivating Chinese green vegetables such as
pak choi, choy sum, Chinese kale and Pai Ts'Ai.
 |
|
Preparing for the
drought season with shade nets |
Dr. Ranasinghe explained that although there were some differences in
climate and soil in China and Sri Lanka, adaptability tests confirmed
that with a little water saving technology and the use of natural
fertiliser, farmers in the area would be capable of supplying the demand
for Chinese green vegetables.
In an arid area as Hambantota, mulching - a protective cover placed
over the soil, to retain moisture - proved a sound water saving
technology for this form of cultivation. While straw was used as the
medium of cover, it retained moisture. Adding carbonised paddy husk
increased water holding capacity and crop sanitation.
Dr. Ranasinghe said vertical cultivation structure farming is another
method that could make maximum use of limited space. Any form of
container, whether plastic bottles or gunny bags, could be used as a
container to grow these vegetables.
"We later introduced shade nets and water harvesting technologies
such as recycling water and improved post-harvesting technologies for
maximum income generation," he explained. Crates were introduced to
minimise damage to vegetables in transportation. The end result has been
a high quality product that could be sold for a higher price in the
market.
Dr. Ranasinghe said that the niche market for such vegetables is very
small and added that they want to expand this beyond just a trade.
That is why JICA SouthCAP is now in the process of trying to
incorporate Chinese green vegetables in the Sri Lankan diet. "This way,
the farmers would not be left in the lurch when the Chinese workers pack
up and go," said Dr. Ranasinghe.
SouthCAP recently organised a crash course in Chinese cuisine using
Chinese green vegetables, conducted by Chinese chefs in the harbour
construction site.
These Chinese green vegetables have the same nutritional qualities as
their Sri Lankan counterparts - spinach and mukunuwenna - and can be
used in vegetable rotti , cutlets or any other food products that make
use of conventional green vegetables.
In addition the farmers are also cultivating conventional Sri Lankan
vegetables. "We are trying to popularise pea eggplant, ruhunu chilli and
several pumpkin varieties."
More interest
Forty-five farmers in Methsevana and 15 in Keliyapura are now
involved in the cultivation and marketing of Chinese green vegetables.
"More people are showing interest in getting involved," said Dr.
Ranasinghe.
 |
|
The happy owner of a
family business garden |
S. H. Cyril, farmer and member of Jeewana Shakthi, a group made up of
some 45 small producers in Methsevana, has been providing Chinese green
vegetables to the harbour for nearly a year. "Because they are monthly
yielding crops, they are not so difficult to cultivate" said Cyril.
Moreover, he revealed that since a kilo is sold for Rs. 100, it is more
profitable than Sri Lankan green vegetables.
"Since we have to supply vegetables to the market continuously, we
have to sow seeds in a separate plot before one plot of land is
harvested", explained Cyril.
But a major obstacle these farmers are now facing is various plant
diseases that the vegetables are inflicted with. This is due to
cultivating the same land over and over again with the same crop. The
only alternative in the time being is to replace the soil of the
vegetable beds. A long-term plan as suggested by Dr. Ranasinghe is to
acquire more land to cultivate.
The farmers - except some 10 to 15 individuals in Keliyapura who
already have large areas of land and water availability - are planning
to try their hand at allotment farming in urban areas, where several
farmers get together to acquire land for cultivation. "Once cultivation
has taken a commercialised form, crop protection from pests is a must,"
explained Dr. Ranasinghe. "We are trying to link with the Department of
Agriculture for resources."
The Chinese are especially happy with the green vegetables cultivated
in Sri Lanka because no chemical fertiliser or pesticides are used. Only
organic matter such as cow dung and chicken manure fertiliser is used to
increase the yield.
- SP
|
