Cashew cultivation mooted in Mullaitivu

Ridma Dissanayake

Plans are on to cultivate cashew in the Mullaitivu district for the first time in the country's history. A programme in this connection was held at the District Secretariat Office, Mullaitivu under the patronage of Minor Export Crop Promotion Minister Reginald Cooray.

The minister distributed a large number of cashew plants among 120 farmers in the district. The Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation provided training in cashew cultivation to farmers. Plans are underway to cultivate 60 acres in the Mullaitivu district.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation distributed 700,000 cashew plants among cashew farmers during the last 11 months under the Divi Neguma development programme launched by the Economic Development Ministry.

Under this programme, the Cashew Corporation distributed cashew plants among cashew farmers in 22 districts. These farmers have already established 1,000 domestic economic units.

Farmers have already cultivated 20,000 acres. Funds were provided by the Economic Development Ministry under the guidance of Minister Basil Rajapaksa. The Cashew Corporation distributed a number of cashew plants among 130 Divisional Secretariat Offices in 22 districts.

Measures are in place to cultivate another 4,000 acres with the participation of 3,500 cashew cultivators.

Plans are also underway to cultivate another 500,000 cashew plants in 6,000 acres.

The Cashew Corporation provided high quality cashew plants among cashew planters free of charge.