Plantation Ministry to launch projects to improve productivity

Friday, 31 August 2018 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Rs. 136 m to be allocated across 4-year period from 2019

The Government this week gave approval to allocate Rs. 136 million from the General Treasury to the Plantation Ministry to be utilised for projects to improve productivity in the sector.

According to the proposal the money will be allocated in stages with Rs. 45.17 million to be allocated in 2019, while another Rs. 42 million and Rs. 37.33 million to be allocated in 2020 and 2021 respectively. The final allocation of Rs. 12 million will be given in 2022.

Subject Minister Navin Dissanayake proposing to allocate the fund over a period of four years stresses on the need to develop production and cultivation practices of all three plantation crops.

Accordingly the Ministry has first proposed projects to develop coconut and rubber sectors. The Ministry plans to set up a production facility for hybrid coconut seeds to meet the requirements of planters in Kinniyama Garden while expanding the production and distribution of predatory mites for control of mite damages.

Further the money will be allocated to construct productive and efficient state-of-the-art smoke houses for the industry as well.