Niraviya and Rajanganaya farms explore innovative solutions:

New chapter opens in agricultural sector

By Gamini Warushamana

The Niraviya and Rajanganaya farms in the Anuradhapura district have opened a new chapter in the agriculture sector by exploring innovative solutions to prolonged issues.

In the golden era of agricultural development in the country, state agencies, research institutions, state farms and training schools played a pivotal role to bring new technology and farming practices to the farmer community.

However, after 1977 with the introduction of extreme neo liberal policies, the role of the government in the economy was undermined and in 1980s and 1990s most of the state institutions that provided a tremendous service to agriculture development in the country were privatised and huge state farms were also among them.

However, a few state farms continued but those too were later abandoned and the jungle tide swept over it.

Niraviya and Rajanganaya farms were among them and until 2010 the two farms with vast land area, irrigation systems, buildings and other resources were abandoned.

Model farms

“The new chapter of the two farms started in 2010. Minister of Irrigation, Nimal Siripala de Silva and the Secretary to the Ministry of Irrigation, Ivan de Silva decided to develop these farms as model farms to introduce new commercial crops for farmers, carry out research and development to address issues in the agriculture sector and to provide knowledge and agribusiness technology to the farmer community,” said Project Manager, A.M. Jayawardena.

The Niraviya farm with 350 acres of fertile land borders the Kala Oya and Kalankuttiya canal and, therefore, has water throughout the year.

Over 115 casual labourers and 30 permanent staffers work on the farm. The farm is jointly managed by the Ministry of Irrigation and the Mahaweli Authority.

The Rajanganaya farm bordering the Rajanganaya tank has 40 acres of fertile land and a regular water supply. Rajanganaya farm is managed by the Department of Irrigation and provide employment to 25 people.

Jayawardena said that the Niraviya farm has introduced several initiatives. Cultivation, development and extension of horticulture crops, especially fruits.

Quality fruits

“Our objective is to increase local fruit production, especially high-end products that are now imported. We also expect to provide the nutritious requirement of the people by providing quality fruits at reasonable prices. We cultivate banana, dragon fruit, pineapple, passion fruits, mango and grapes,” he said.

The TEJC mango variety is one of the crops that is a profitable alternative that will change dry zone agriculture in the future.

This mango variety bears fruit within two years and harvesting can be done 6-8 months of the year.

The farm gate price is around Rs. 350 per kg and the demand is mainly from the high-end market. Dragon fruit is also a highly profitable fruit crop. Grapes cultivation in Rajanganaya farm has also been successful, he said.

Production and supply of quality seed and planting material to the farmers and animals to livestock farmers at reasonable prices is another initiative of the farm.

In seed production, the farm has launched a joint program with the Department of Agriculture and chillie, black gram, ground nut, soya bean and green gram seeds are produced under this program.

In livestock development too the farm has maintained high quality breeding stock and provides healthy and highly productive animals to farmers.

The Niraviya farm launched in the 1970s had been recognised as the best animal farm in the country and it was famous for breeding buffaloes which were used for paddy farming.

The parental stock of animals are being upgraded with the assistance of the Bopaththalawa farm.

Jayawardena said that within two and half years the farm has achieved most of its targets.

“We have cultivated 225 acres of land and most of them are long-term horticulture crops. We already earn revenue from banana, pomegranate, passion fruit, dragon fruit and selling planting materials and animals,” he said.

“Our dairy products, fruits and processed fruits with 'Niraviya Farm' brand have a huge demand in the region and at the Mahaweli sales outlet at Darley Road, Colombo. We earn Rs 10 million and will earn profits within the next two years and be self-sustainable,” Jayawardena said.

Dairy and fruit processing units of the farm are being modernised with new investments. He said that new equipment has been purchased from Israel and by December the farm will have the capacity to process 500 litres of milk per day.

“To meet this capacity we have launched a scheme to support milk farmers in the area to increase production by providing technology and new grass varieties,” he said.

The Niraviya farm also conducts training programs for farmers, schoolchildren and youth. The success of these two farms has proved that the government too can do business in a competitive environment. The main issues government agencies face in managing enterprises such as this are high overhead costs due to overstaffing, waste and corruption. Jayawardena said that the authorities have taken strict measures to control them.

Apart from financial profitability the economic benefits too are huge. Government intervention in the seed and planting material market is important to prevent monopolies or cartels and in the supply of agro inputs to farmers at affordable prices will develop and protect local crop varieties.