Basil says Divi Neguma benefits 1.1 m minor export crop growers

Monday, 25 November 2013 00:16 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Divi Neguma minor export crop cultivation program which comprises (1) providing plants for home gardens (2) introduction of crops to be grown on a commercial basis up to an extent of two-and-a-half acres (3) developing cottage industries linked to minor export crops (4) training self-employed persons in pepper pruning and (5) providing plants required for 100,000 home gardens program which commenced this year, has shown tremendous success.

This program has benefited nearly 1.1 million cultivators and thousands more have begun growing minor export crops. They have already been briefed on getting a good price for their products by identifying problems in the market and thereby providing relief to consumers. This commenced with the full participation of the Minor Export Crop Promotion ministry under the guidance of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa who directs the Divi Neguma National Development Program. Target of 100,000 model home gardens Up to 21 November this year 1,018,886 minor export crop plants were distributed under the Divi Neguma Home Gardens project. The provision of such plants under Divi Neguma Phase Five has already commenced. Its objective is to meet the target of 100,000 model home gardens. Phase Five began on 21 October. Priority will be given to cultivated areas of one acre each for establishing commercial export crop cultivation units. The necessary assistance will be provided in the form Rs. 63,400 (for cinnamon), Rs. 40,880 (for pepper), Rs. 28,400 (for cocoa) and Rs. 14,000 (for nutmeg). Providing assistance to cottage industries and training persons in pruning pepper plants has drawn the attention of many. The cultivation 55,000 cinnamon plants, 400,000 pepper plants, 50,000 arecanut plants, 5000 goraka plants and 15,000 coffee plants commenced in 15 districts this year. The Minor Export Crop Promotion Ministry issued 1,677,889 plants to 559,300 beneficiaries under Divi Neguma in 2011. This year arrangements have been made to distribute 550,000 cinnamon plants, 400,000 pepper plants, 50,000 arecanut plants, 15,000 coffee plants and 5000 goraka plants. Budded cashew plants too have become popular as a minor export crop to be grown in commercial crop units and home gardens. Subsidised crash program in the North A subsidised crash program to cultivate cashew in the North is scheduled to be launched next year. Sri Lanka’s annual cashew production is about 8,000 metric tons. But the local requirement is 20,000 metric tons. In 2012 cashew worth Rs. 128 million was imported while Sri Lanka earned an export income of Rs. 227 million by exporting cashew mixed food products. A program has been launched to increase cashew production in the island since cashew yield per acre here is very low compared to other cashew growing countries. The technical advice required for minor export crop cultivation under the Divi Neguma project is provided free by the relevant officers and also by mobile service units several districts including Puttalam, Kurunegala and Kegalle.