ADB to help develop smart agriculture in Mahaweli Zones

Thursday, 15 February 2024 01:38 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Asian Development Bank has pledged to assist develop smart agriculture in Mahaweli Zones, following a request made by Irrigation, Wildlife and Forestry Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi.

She said the ADB has pledged to provide $ 8 million to introduce modern technology in the field of agriculture and livestock.

During a recent discussion with the ADB Country Director Takafumi Kadona officials held at her office, Minister Wanniarachchi requested ADB to assist financial and new technology to the youth as they are keen on a smart agricultural industry.

Subsequently, ADB pledged to assist in this venture as it would increase productivity.

Addressing the top officials at the Ministry yesterday she said the ADB aid is a victory for the Mahaweli farming community.

She said the aim of President Ranil Wickremesinghe is to meet local demand for food in the country in the face of the prevailing economic difficulties. Therefore, modernisation of agriculture would help increase food production in the country.

The Minister pointed out that Mahaweli young farmers prefer to engage in smart agriculture and by facilitating them in that regard, their income can be increased by 200%.

She further said that she would implement a targeted program to export the Mahaweli produce and earn foreign currency in the future.

Ministry Secretary Saman Darshana Pandikorala, Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority Director General Engineer Sunil Perera and several others participated.

The $ 4, 2.5, and 1.5 million would be spent on developing milk production, smart agriculture food production such as polytunnel and drip Irrigation, and poultry and freshwater fishing industry respectively.

There are 12940 milk farmers in Mahaweli Zones and they produced 54.8 million litres of fresh milk last year. It is expected to increase this up to 70 million litres under this program.

Under the proposed export agri project, 1300 farming families will be selected, and each family will be asked to start chili cultivation in polytunnels of 1/4 acre. Necessary infrastructure will be

provided.

Further, the Mahaweli Authority states that the egg production is expected to be increased to 100 million this year from 62 million last year. Shortage of Poultry food and chicks is a major stumbling block in the industry, and the ministry expects to find positive answers to them by using ADB.