Diyavanna paddy field, now a model farm

The initial step of promoting environmental friendly methods and organic fertiliser in cultivation was ceremonially commenced on Thursday at the Diyavanna paddy field in Kimbulavala.

Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa joining in the planting of first paddy plants at the Diyavanna paddy field launching the programme to promote health food patterns among people. Indigenous Medicine Minister Salinda Dissanayake and Western Provincial Council Transport Minister Upali Kodikara were also present. Picture by Wasitha Patabedige

It was initiated on a concept of Defence and Urban Development Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and with the guidance of Indigenous Medicine Minister Salinda Dissanayake.

The Diyavanna paddy field has been developed as a model farm that uses traditional methods and organic fertiliser making the Api Vavamu Rata Nagamu Mahinda Chinthana policy a reality.

The paddy field has been developed under the Urban Development Project of the Defence and Urban Development Ministry. The well planned model farm include a Herbal Seed Bank, gemi gedara, veda gedara and a threshing floor.

Four Farmer Societies in the area Thalapathpitiya Ekamuthu Govi Sanvidanaya, Madiwala Praja Govi Sanvidanaya, Diyavannawa Ihala Govi Sanvidanaya and Pamunuwa Eksath Govi Sanvidanaya have joined in this endeavour and farmers have been distributed with 80 perch paddy lands.

Minister Dissanayake had experimented with organic paddy cultivation with a highly successful outcome.

He said it is a timely need to promote the traditional methods of cultivation and pass them on to the future generations. Dissanayake observed chemical free poisonless food crops make the foundation for a healthier generation in the country.

He said people should be encouraged to adopt local food patterns and agriculture related knowledge of our past generations should be revived once again.

The first paddy plants at the model farm were planted by Secretary Rajapaksa and Minister Dissanayake with the participation of farmers of the area and other officials attached to the two ministries and institutions under them as well as representatives of Western Provincial Council and several Municipal Councils.