Schoolchildren, farmers, scholars to study agriculture:

Model farms for commercial agriculture

Priyanka KURUGALA

The Irrigation and Water Resources Management Ministry established 14 model farms countrywide to introduce commercial agriculture, the Irrigation and Water Resources Management Ministry Secretary said.

Tambuttegama, Niraviya, Rajanganaya, Moneragala, Mannar and 10 other farms in Walawe will be maintained under the Irrigation and Water Resources Management Ministry to introduce agro- economy and commercial agriculture, he said.

Under this project, the ministry has provided the opportunity to schoolchildren, farmers and scholars to study agriculture which uses technology, he added.

The authorities aim to introduce organic farming using fertilizer. Research is being carried out to introduce the most profitable methods of cultivation, he said.

"People are motivated to cultivate paddy with traditional methods.

"However, under this new method, the ministry will introduce cultivation of high quality fruits as well as mangoes, oranges, pineapples and bananas," he said.

"The Niraviya farm is a good centre for commercial agriculture and animal husbandry.

"People can gather knowledge from this farming network," he added.