Move to empower H'tota domestic economic units

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Over 57,600 domestic economic units have been established in 576 Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Hambantota district under the Divi Neguma programme, District Secretariat's Planning Director A.Rajapaksa told the Daily News.

The District Secretariat will identify fruit and minor export crops farmers to encourage them by introducing new methods and techniques. The Economic Development Ministry has allocated Rs.50 million to these projects.

Arrangements are in place to distribute 9,000 chicks among those who are engaged in animal husbandry in the Hambantota district. Under the first stage, 3,000 chicks will be distributed. These chicks will be bought from the farms that have been approved by the National Livestock Development Board.

The Economic Development Ministry has allocated Rs 7.1 million to expand the coconut cultivation in the Hambantota district and 89,731 coconut saplings will be planted in domestic economic units. Beliatta and Okewela Divisional Secretariats and 30 Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Hambantota district will not receive coconut saplings because of the Leaf Wilt disease. Over 22,500 coconut saplings will be distributed in other Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the District next week. Other saplings will be distributed in the Yala season.

The sea water and inland water fishery industries will also be developed in Hambantota. The sea water fish industry in Tangalle, Tissamaharama, Ambalanthota and Hambantota Divisional Secretariat Divisions will be promoted. The inland water fish industry will be promoted in each Divisional Secretariat Division in the district.

The ornamental fish industry will also be promoted in Hambantota, the director said.