For the first time in Sri Lanka, the Agriculture Sector Modernization Project under the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries has introduced a new seed drying system for the safe drying of grains used for seeds such as maize, paddy, green gram, cowpeas, sesame, finger millet and black seed.
Dr. Rehan Wijekon, Director of the Agriculture Sector Modernization Project, said that this new seed drying system is entirely powered by solar power and the system is called Solar Tunnel Dryer.
This new solar powered system was inaugurated recently (23) at Vavuniya Nelukkulam and the new seed drying system was inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera.
The specialty of this system is that the entire system is powered by electricity generated from sunlight. In addition, the entire warehouse is covered with glass so that natural sunlight and solar radiation are continuously available. Even at night, the optimum temperature required for drying the seeds can be obtained by using solar energy without any cost.
Also, under this method, the seeds are completely protected from solar ultraviolet rays.
Also, there is a risk of Aflatoxins in the drying of corn and other grains due to not removing water properly, but this grain drying system does not have such a risk. Also, grains such as maize used for seeds can be dried appropriately for sprouting, so there is no risk of those grains not sprouting.
Dr. Rohan Wijekon, director of the Agriculture Sector Modernization Project, said that the Solar Tunnel Dryer technology is being introduced to Sri Lanka for the first time, and the experiments have been 100 percent successful so far. This new discovery is completely in our country.
The Vavuniya Maize Seed Production and Processing Center was also opened at the same time and this processing center produces 20 percent of the country’s required maize seeds. Apart from this, the maize seed processing center established in Ampara produces another 20 percent and arrangements have been made to provide 40 percent of the country’s total maize seed requirement through the Agriculture Sector Modernization Project.
Accordingly, 600 farmers are engaged in the production of seed corn on 600 acres.
The Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industry, Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera, who expressed his opinion, mentioned that the HE the President Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe has given an additional amount of Rs.2500 million to introduce the new technology to the farmers. Of that amount, Rs.100 million will be allocated to all the districts and 04 divisional secretariat divisions will be selected in each district and Rs.25 million will be given to each division.
The Minister also said that this money was given by HE the President in addition to the money allocated in the budget to introduce new agricultural technology to the farmers.
The minister also mentioned that the new technology application developed for seed drying by the Agriculture Sector Modernization Project was very successful.
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