Hiriyala to cultivate Gricidia as alternate energy soon

Chaminda Perera

The Hiriyala Farmer Cooperative Society is setting up Alternative Energy Villages in the Hiriyala electorate this year to cultivate Gricidia which can be used as an alternative energy source.

According to Minister Dissanyake, "The paddy seeds produced by this society are of optimum quality and ensure both quantitative and qualitative production.

We have emerged as one of the best paddy seeds producers in the Kurunegala district.

The demand for our seed paddy is very high," Minister Salinda Dissanayake said.

This society comprises over 7000 farmers and are engaged in producing seed for paddy farmers, purchasing their products and processing and marketing rice to the consumers. The Minister said the society also buys their paddy produce at a competitive rate and no middlemen are allowed to intervene in this process.

A mega paddy mill valued over Rs. 50 million has also been fixed at the society premises for processing of high quality rice and it can produce over 5000 kilogrammes per day.

The society will guarantee better prices for farmers who are twice exploited by pesticide companies in the paddy field and middleman.

These farmers are given initial training on Gricidia cultivation and their products would be purchased by the society.

In addition the society expects to produce ethanol to replace fuel. The society has already placed order for the purchase of necessary machinery and they will be fixed in the society premises within next few months, the Minister said.

The society is aimed at uplifting the paddy farmers to extend its services to the other electorates in the Kurunegala, district this year.