Sri Lanka’s first strawberry model Agri-project successful

The export-oriented strawberry cultivation started in Nuwara Eliya by the Department of Agrarian Development has been successful so far. This strawberry model cultivation is the first strawberry cultivation Agri-model project implemented by the government of Sri Lanka.

This cultivation has started in 40 greenhouses with the contribution of 52 farmers in the Blackpool area and several other areas of Nuwara Eliya.

About two months have passed since the cultivation started and yesterday (08) the cultivation was observed by the Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industry, Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera.

Strawberry plants imported from Egypt have been distributed among these farmers and all the financial allocation and technical support for this cultivation has been provided by the Department of Agrarian Development.

The Department of Agrarian Development has provided 1000 square feet 40 tunnel houses for strawberry cultivation in Nuwara Eliya under a 25 percent concession basis. Accordingly, 25 percent of the money spent on preparing the tunnel house should be borne by the concerned farmers and the remaining 75 percent of the financial allocations has been given by the Department of Agrarian Development without any recovery.

Strawberry cultivation in our country can only be done in a limited area of Nuwara Eliya and other areas are not suitable for it. There is a high demand for this unique crop in the international market.

By now, the flowering season of the Nuwara Eliya strawberry plantation has started. Farmers say that they can start harvesting in another month and a half.

In the second phase of this model cultivation, strawberries are going to be implemented under the high density cultivation method. By that method, it will be possible to increase the yield by growing more plants than at present. By now, the farmers have been able to earn income by selling the plants as new plants have grown from the mother plants.

Instead of cultivating this new crop in beds, farmers have been advised to cultivate it by following new agricultural techniques by cultivating it in grow bags and using drip irrigation technology.

The Department of Agrarian Development has taken steps to give priority to the youth community in the selection of growers.

Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, who met with the growers, also mentioned that the necessary facilities will be provided for strawberry cultivation as well as other crops that are in high demand in the international market. Stating that strawberry cultivation has never been done in such an organized manner under the intervention of the public sector, the minister also mentioned that the government will always provide necessary support for the expansion of such cultivations that can generate high income.

Mr. A.M.H.L. Abeyrathne, Commissioner General of Department of Agrarian Development and several other officials also participated.

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