New vistas for rubber cultivation

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

The Plantation Industries Ministry has initiated a project to introduce rubber cultivation to the Monaragala district, Plantation Industries Minister D.M. Jayarathne said.

Rubber will be cultivated in 750 hectares in five Divisional Secretariat divisions in the Moneragala District. Bibile, Moneragala, Badalkumbura, Madulla and Medagama Divisional Secretariat Divisions have been selected for the new project at the initial stage.

It is estimated that 412,500 saplings needed for the project and saplings have been planted in several nurseries including the Government owned Kumbukkanna nursery and in some private owned nurseries, Plantation Industries sources said.

“Initiatives are being taken by the Ministry to identify interested persons, project based activities and to develop infrastructure facilities. Awareness programmes are being held for intended cultivators on modern technical and scientific aspects in rubber cultivation” the Minister added.

Moves are underway by the Ministry to cultivate rubber in Ampara District in 1,000 hectares under the Small Rubber Estate Development Project.

The programme goes in line with Wevillata Nawodayak (New era for cultivation) programme. Rubber will be cultivated in the Ridimaliadda Divisional Secretariat division in the Badulla District, he added.

Plantation Industries sources said the total expenditure of the project is Rs. 111,250,000.

After examining soil samples of the selected areas PRI-SL-121 Bud Rubber variety has been identified as the most suitable since it yields 1,800 Kg harvest per year.