Domestic economic units increasing

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The number of domestic economic units in the Badulla district has increased to 85,050. Another 28,350 units will be established under the second phase of the Divi Neguma development programme, Badulla District Secretariat Planning Director Wijeybandara told the Daily News.

The Economic Development Ministry has allocated over Rs. 850 million on the Divi Neguma development programme which is ongoing in the Badulla district under the purview of the Badulla District Secretariat, he added.

According to him, all measures have been taken by the Uva Province Agriculture and Ayurveda Departments to identify beneficiaries in fruit and medicinal herbs farming and encourage them by introducing new methods and techniques to help develop their industries.

Accordingly, around 255,150 fruit plants have been distributed among all families under the Divi Neguma programme in the Badulla district and each family received three fruit plants. Ten categories of fruit plants such as mango, orange, papaw and lime have been distributed. About 26,700 cashew plants have been distributed in Meegahakiyula, Kandaketiya, Mahiyangana and Rideemaliyadda divisional secretariats.

Over 47,000 coconut saplings have been distributed in the district and each family received two coconut saplings. The cost of the plants is over Rs. 3,056,430, he said.

Around 40,658 chicks were also distributed among 28,350 families entitled to the Badulla district Divi Neguma project's second phase and each family received around 10 chicks. About 4,065 poultry cages have been manufactured.

The Provincial Animal Productions and Health Department had initiated special training programmes for beneficiaries of animal husbandry and poultry. The District Secretariat had ordered 1,800 bee boxes for those engaged in bee-keeping in the district. Around 1,300 among them have been distributed as well.

Eighteen inland water fish projects have been initiated in Mahiyangana and Rideemaliyadda divisional secretariat divisions and around 245 will become beneficiaries through these projects. Ornamental fish industry is among the main projects.

In addition, a large sum of money has been spent to distribute vegetable plants and minor export crops among the people. Around 6,378,750 vegetable plants and 160,000 minor export crop plants have been distributed.

The Economic Development Ministry had allocated Rs.317.9 million for the Gama Neguma programme and launched a large number of programmes in various fields. All these projects are to be completed before the end of this year, Planning Director Wijeybandara added.