Goyam Thorana in Dehiaththakandiya

Priyanka Kurugala

The final stage of the paddy cultivation experiment of the Derana Foundation has been reached paving the way for providing organic food for the country’s present generation.

This experiment in paddy cultivation is free of pesticides and weedicides. The cultivation exercise will take the shape of a pandal, a Goyam Thorana, to mark the 2600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi during the Yala season in Dehiaththakandiya, Derana Foundation national organizer Ruchira Gunathilake said. This organic cultivation field is situated in the Mahaweli Seed Production Farm in Dehiaththakandiya, Galwalakandura. It is spread over one hectare. Around 74 local varieties of rice have been grown in this field, he said. “This harvest is carried out according to Buddhist traditions. We can consider it as a completely religious activity,” Gunathilake said.

The Derana Foundation has used two local varieties of rice - Rathkinda and Suwadel to create the Goyam Thorana. Only 180 man days were spent to complete this exercise.

‘It means that organic farming is very easy when compared with other methods of farming, he said.

“This system is rich in bio-diversity. A number of creatures such as butterflies, birds and spiders can be seen at this site.

A good biological control system is being implemented on this site. Animals are also allowed to take their share from this field,” Gunathilake said.

The Derana Foundation has used dried compost, animal and waste animal dung as manure, he said.

The organization has used traditional farming methods such as secret treatment and Pirith to protect the cultivation from pest, he said.

“This cultivation is very profitable when compared with other modern technological methods used countrywide. This is a good way to conform to Buddhist principles to mark the 2600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi,” Gunathilake said.