Rs. 17.1 m for vegetables under cultivation drive

Mohammed Naalir

COLOMBO: The Agriculture and Agrarian Services Development Ministry with the intention of promoting the local vegetable cultivation has set aside Rs. 17.1 million for 2008 under the Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu National food production drive.

The vegetable cultivation project which has already been implemented is progressing successfully, Ministry sources said. Arrangements will be made to cultivate beans, tomatoes, brinjals, ladies fingers, green leaves and cowpea under the vegetable promotion project, sources added.

Several issues crippling national vegetable production such as lack of funds, diseases and chemical affects, high production cost, low productivity, using chemicals improperly and post harvest wastage have also been identified.

Sources said moves are under way to solve obstacles in the vegetable cultivation drive through the vegetable crop promotion project.

"Under this project, through Government and private seed nurseries, quality seed production will be encouraged," sources said.

Meanwhile, farmers will be given training to increase productivity. Farmers will also be entitled to engage in seed production.

They will also be briefed on how to use suitable chemicals. Sources expressed confidence that by 2010, the expenditure incurred on vegetable imports could be minimised by a considerable level and a sustainable solution could be found for the shortage of vegetables.