Army collaboratesa with private sector for cultivation of commercial crops

Wednesday, 26 March 2014 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Sri Lanka Army in order to further develop lands belonging to it entered into an agreement with Browns Global Farm Ltd. for the lease of 400 hectare for exclusive environment-friendly cultivation purposes in Kandakadu, off Welikanda in the dry zone. Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake on behalf of the Army and Browns Company Ltd. Chairman I.C. Nanayakkara signed the cultivation agreement last week at the Army Headquarters. Accordingly, Browns Global Farm Ltd. is to cultivate teak and sandalwood for timber purposes and fruits such as banana, pineapple, mango, pomegranates, papaya and other crops for commercial purposes on the Army-leased land, using environmentally-friendly techniques with less application and spraying of pesticides. The project also expects to generate a sound export income following sustainable modern agricultural know-how and practices while helping the rural livelihood. More than 175 unemployed youth in the area are to be recruited for management staff, agriculture related employees and labourers. At the signing of the agreement at the Commander’s office, a few representatives from Browns Global Farm, including General Manager N.I. Delpechitra, Senior Vice President C.D. Ediriwickrama, Assistant Manager Ama Wimalasena and Manager Agribusiness S.H. Yapa, were also present. Chief of Staff Major General Chrishantha De Silva, Director General Finance Management Major General R.V. Udawatta and Director Legal Services Brigadier R.P. Rajapathirana were also associated with the occasion.