Rubber production up 50 percent
Parliament corr.
Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said yesterday
that production and productivity of rubber cultivation has increased by
50 percent over the past five years.
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Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe |
The minister made this observation in response to a question for oral
answers raised by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake.
Minister Samarasinghe said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has
allocated money for the first time this year, to provide relief for rain
guards for rubber cultivation, extending in 10,000 hectares with the
objective of further increasing the productivity and production of
rubber. Minister Samarasinghe added that relief will be granted to the
rest of the cultivators to set rain guards for rubber cultivation in the
coming years.
He said that rubber tapping is difficult in areas which experience
rain. He added that tapping is fast decreasing and recommended the use
of rain guards to increase production.
Minister Samarasinghe said that rubber production increased from 104
million kgs to 153 million kgs from 2005 to 2010 while productivity
increased from 1,171 to 1,582 during the corresponding period.
3Samarasinghe said that this program was due to the support extended
by the President. The ministry is seeking other options to increase the
production by resuming rubber cultivation in non-traditional areas, he
said. "Soil tests and other research, has revealed that in most parts of
Vavuniya and some parts in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu have a conducive
condition for rubber cultivation."
He added that 10,000 hectares in Moneragala have been devided among
smallholders for rubber cultivation and 3,000 hectares have already been
cultivated.
Minister Samarasinghe stated that even in Anuradhapura and
Polonnaruwa rubber is being cultivated in 20 and 40 acres.
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