Farmers ready for agri renaissance

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

The Mahailuppallama Field Crop Research and Development institute MFCRD will enhance additional crop production in the next maha season under the 150 days Agriculture Production and Development Program, Deputy Director, Research Malima Perera said.

"Training programs for farmers have started to encourage them in cultivating additional crops. Most farmers refuse to cultivate additional crops as they did not get enough knowledge how to do it. It is necessary to introduce new technology and guidance for farmers," he said.

"The Field Crop Research and Development Institute will enhance additional production by introducing new technology. New planting technologies and pest and other diseases control methods were introduced for farmers, Perera said. New additional crop varieties were also introduced. They are a new chilli variety named M I Green, maize variety named Sampath, onion variety named Anuradha, Kurakkan variety named Oshada and tomato variety named KC-1.

The Deputy Director said the Field Crop Research and Development Institute has introduced hybrid varieties and will provide basic seeds for farmers for the next maha season. Technical assistance to produce value added food items such as maize flour based cake and biscuits, drinks and cookies out of peanuts and Komarika jelly and drinks have also been introduced for farmers. The Model village establishment program will start under the assistance of the Agriculture Ministry to introduce new additional crop varieties, encourage farmers to use high quality seeds, introduce new planting methods, enhance the productivity by using soil protection methods, encourage farmers to use organic fertilizer, introduce pest and disease controlling methods and introduce value added food items and create self-employment opportunities for women.