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An exercise by the Export Development Board:
Polonnaruwa aquarium fish growers receive grant assistance
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A cheque was handed over by the Director Finance of EDB
M.K.G.Mendis to the President of the Polonnaruwa District
Ornamental Fish growers Association D.M. Wimalasiri recently at
the Sri Lanka Export Development Board. Others in the picture
from left to right are O.M.C.Kumudini Deputy Director EDB, Brian
Angunawela Chairman EDB M.M.G.Heenbanda Secretary, Polonnaruwa
District Ornamental Fish growers Association (extreme right)
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With the objective of converting the Polonnaruwa District as the hub
of Aquatic fish export in Sri Lanka several measures are being
implemented by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board.
After undertaking a preliminary survey of the Aquarium fish growers
in the district covering areas of Medirigiriya, Hingurakgoda,
Thamankaduwa, Dimbulagala, Elahara and Walinkanda the Polonnaruwa
Aquarium Fish Grower Association was setup with the active involvement
of the District Secretary and the National Aquatic Development
Authority.
With the assistance of the National Chamber of Commerce a grant of Rs.
50,000 each will be distributed among 50 Aquarium fish farmers in the
district out of the 100 suitable fish farmers selected by the EDB and
NAQDA .
50% of the grant is provided by the Sri Lanka Export Development
Board while the balance is provided by the Government of Netherlands
through the National Chamber of Commerce.
The grant is provided to farmers in order to facilitate them to
purchase production equipment. The remaining fifty Aquarium fish farmers
will receive the grant by the year 2009.
At present Aquatic fish farmers in the Polonnaruwa District supply
their produce to the local market.
It is expected to introduce new fish varieties that are in demand in
the Export market to the growers in the District.
Negotiations are been held with the NAQDA and the national aquatic
resources agency to train the growers on modern methods of Aquarium fish
farming. |
