Boost for export agricultural crops

P P G Sugathadasa, Thihagoda group corr

Plans are underway to enhance the production capacity of export agricultural crops.

Export Agricultural Department Director General W D L Gunarathne said cinnamon, cardamom, cocoa, coffee, pepper, nutmeg, vanilla, citronella, cloves, betel and arecanut are the export agricultural crops given priority.

“Out of all these, cinnamon brings the highest income to the country. These crops are successfully being cultivated in Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Kalutara, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Kurunegala, Kandy, Badulla and Matale,” he said.

Gunarathne said through novel crop expansion projects, the department is targeting to bring nearly 4,000 hectares under these cultivations before the end of this year.

He said measures have also been taken to carry out productivity promotion projects to further boost these cultivations.

Fresh agricultural policies are also to be introduced to farmers for the production and promotion of export agricultural crops, Gunarathne said.