Exceptional progress in Api Wawamu - Rata Nagamu drive

The three-year integrated programme implemented by the Hadabima Authority concurrently with Api Wawamu - Rata Nagamu national drive to encourage indigenous products had shown successful results.

One important stage of this programme conducted under the direction of Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Development Minister Maithripala Sirisena which involved home gardens management and Crop diversification projects in particular had shown exceptional progress, an Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Development Ministry communique said yesterday.

It said the entire project is implemented under five units - farm technology training, provision of seeds and planting material, provision of agricultural equipment and inputs, bee keeping programme and home garden cultivation.

Under technological training, 360 farmers would be trained at a cost of Rs. 360,000. The Hadabima Authority had already completed training of 138 farmers. Rs. 3.6 million would be spent on the provision of seeds and planting material, targeting 2,400 farmers. Of them 2,206 farmers have been already provided with seeds and planting material at a cost of Rs. 2.54 million.

Provision of Agricultural equipment and inputs is aimed to divert farmers towards new economic crops, draw youth into the programme and obtain maximum productivity from land. A total of 2,400 farmers would be provided with agri-equipment at a cost of Rs. 1.8 million. Already 2,206 farmers have been facilitated under this programme.

The bee keeping programme is aimed to activate the crop germination process, setting up of model bee keeping villages and provide employment opportunities.

Out of the targeted 350 farmers, 250 have been facilitated at a cost of Rs. 144,000.

It is also hoped to conduct a home garden competition among 2,400 farmers under this programme, the communique added.