Anuradhapura farmer reaps Rs. 10 Mn from half acre of chilli

By recording the highest yield and income of chillies ever obtained from half an acre, Bandula Puliyankulama has been able to earn the highest income of Rs.10 million rupees by Sunday (17).

Under the Agriculture Sector Modernization Project, he has started chilli cultivation on half an acre in Puliyankulama area using the new technology of chilli cultivation.

In particular, MICH 1 and 2, which are the local chilli varieties that give the highest yield in our country, have been selected for this cultivation. Within nine months of starting this chilli cultivation, he has earned an income of Rs.10 million and this was informed to Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera on Sunday.

The Agriculture Sector Modernization Project has introduced a high density cultivation method and new agricultural technology for chilli cultivation. According to the traditional chilli cultivation method, only 6,000 chilli plants can be planted in half an acre, but under the high density cultivation method, 13,000 plants can be planted. Accordingly, it is acceptable to increase the yield several times.

Also, by covering the beds with polythene covers and using water under the drip irrigation system, there is no wastage of water and no additional money has to be spent on weed control. And half an acre of chilli cultivation at a time requires a minimum amount of chemical fertilizers. Also, because pesticides are not used to control pests, the quality of chilli cultivation also increases.

Previously, two farmers who had the highest yield and income from chilli cultivation in our country were reported from Tirappane and Jaffna areas. They earned Rs. five million and Rs. 60 million.

But Bandula Puliyankulama has earned an income of more than Rs. 10 million by Sunday and he has the ability to earn at least Rs. 13 million according to the current market prices for chillies. He will be able to harvest his chillies till next January 14.

The post Anuradhapura farmer reaps Rs. 10 Mn from half acre of chilli appeared first on DailyNews.