Export-based strawberry cultivation project gets approval

The Agriculture Ministry approved a project presented by a group of local investors to grow strawberries with the aim of export on Monday (13).

The discussion was held in the Agriculture Ministry with the participation of Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and Minister of Transport and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana, where approval was given for the project.

Although there is a high demand for strawberries in the world market, there is still a minimal demand for strawberries grown in our country due to the fact that they are not cultivated using modern technology. Sri Lanka is ranked 57th among strawberry exporting countries. Strawberry has a rapidly increasing market annually and as a soft fruit, strawberry is an extremely popular fruit.

For this new project, it was agreed to provide one hectare of land belonging to the Agriculture Ministry in Nuwara Eliya as a pilot project under the first phase. According to the success of the project, up to ten hectares can be given for strawberry cultivation if needed.

By using the new technology, if strawberries are cultivated, it is possible to earn an income of US$ 117,600 from one hectare per year. It is also possible to get a yield of 120,000 kgs from one hectare. Also, the amount invested to cultivate one hectare is Rs. 250 million.

Minister Amaraweera said that next year will be a year in which priority will be given to improve agriculture. The Minister also said that the President has made a great contribution to the agriculture of this country by presenting the new budget document. The Minister also mentioned that the Government is giving priority to introducing new technology to agriculture.

Ministry Secretary Janaka Dharmakirthi also participated.

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