Supplementary crop production to be increased

Ishara Mudugamuwa

The Agriculture Ministry will increase local production of supplementary field crops by 2015 to meet targets in the Mahinda Chintana Forward Vision.

Accordingly it has been planned to reduce supplementary food crop imports considerably, the Agriculture Ministry sources said.

“A large number of supplementary crop productions are imported annually to meet the local consumption for which the government spends a huge amount of foreign exchange on,” the sources said.

The ministry has started a special programme to encourage farmers to cultivate supplementary field crops.

The Agriculture Ministry under this programme plans to increase the production of big onion, red onion, dried chilli, maize, kurakkan, green gram, black gram, soya bean, etc.

According to the ministry sources each crop will be cultivated in selected districts.

“The ministry has taken measures to provide quality seeds and technological knowledge to farmers to increase production.

Arrangements are also being made to increase cultivation extent while adopting post harvest technologies to the fullest,” the sources said.

The total project cost for 2012 is Rs. 189 million and the ministry has succeeded in achieving a financial progress of Rs.50.6 million by the end of the 3rd quarter and the balance is scheduled to be utilized in “Maha” season of 2012/2013.