Reaping benefits from Api Vavamu Rata Nagamu
M.A.R. Manukulasooriya, Hiriyala group correspondent
The Api Vavamu Rata Nagamu development program has brought success to
R. M. Punchibanda, 46.
Punchibanda of Peddawa, Mahamookalanyaya won the national level
second place at the Islandwide home gardening competition held in 2007.
He has a seed farm in a five acre land. He produces quality seeds and
supplies them to the Agricultural Department.
He has sufficient water for cultivation as his farm is close to
Deduruoya. Ten workers serve under him. He has cultivated cucumber,
ladies fingers and wing beans in his farm. He has also cultivated
manioc, sweet potatoes and plantain.
Apart from the seed farm, he has successfully cultivated 32 kinds of
fruits, 15 kinds of vegetables and 100 kinds of flowers in his home
garden.
Under a short-term scholarship offered to him by the Agricultural
Department, he has undergone training in agriculture at Durajith
University, Thailand.
“Sri Lanka is an agricultural country. It is full of resources. But I
regret to state that still our people have not realised the value of our
fertile land. We are a proud nation that need not depend on any foreign
country for food.
The government provides all facilities including manure. Our people
are lazy and lethargic. If we get together and cultivate our lands we
can easily make our country self sufficient in food,” said Punchibanda. |