Comprehensive Master Plan

For
Agriculture crop sector
Development
Northern Region

Prepared by
Provincial Director of Agriculture
Department of Agriculture
Northern provincial Council
January 2009
 Acknowledgement

My sincere thanks goes to all those who have contributed with their valuable
ideas and suggestions to make this plan successful, the Deputy Directors of the
Department of Agriculture, Northern Province, Deputy Director of Research,
Northern Province, Asst. Director of Seed and Planting Material Division.
Special thanks is extended to Mr. S. Rangarajah, the Chief Secretary of the
Northern Provincial Council for his encouragement to prepare the future plan
for agriculture sector and to Prof. C. Sivayoganathan, Department of
Agricultural Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya for his
time spent to review and give valuable comments to improve the content of
the plan. Finally, the thanks go to Mrs. Gowry for her assistance in typing this
document.

Mr.K.Subramaniam,
Provincial Director of Agriculture,
Northern Province.
 FORWARD

Since the independence, Sri Lanka underwent significant structural changes

and qualitative transformation particularly, the predominantly agriculture
economy of 1950 has been transformed into a diversified one. This
diversification was very gradually till 1970 and gained momentum in the last
two and a half decades. during this period contribution of the agriculture
sector to the GDP decline while manufacturing services increased. The
associated changes in this transformation did not effectively take place in the
north, particularly due to the ethnic conflict and unfavorable condition that
prolonged since 1983. The Industry , Agriculture and Fisheries deteriorated
over the period with mounting damage of economic infrastructures. The
people of Northern Province were deprived of the opportunities that came
with the changes that taking places at the national level and global level.

Rival of agricultural economy and placing it on a firm footing is strategically

important for the development and prosperity of the Northern region This
transformation could be caused effectively by a proper strategy using the
superior advantages the region possesses. The Northern Province is naturally
favored with endowment such as land water climate and human resource. The
proper alignment of which, with the modern technology, market assistance
scheme, infrastructure development and proper linkages will be fundamental
in any strategy. Reconstruction and rehabilitation processes anyway should
precede any development program in the north. Since the community in the
Northern Province is essentially conflict emerging, their problem and the needs
have their own characteristics. In view of the double cap situation they need
to be taken through a rapid process which will enable the province to catch a
first gap and reach the levels of national standard quickly. Agriculture sector
which has crop, livestock, industry and fisheries as its subsector is pivot of
provincial development. it has the ability to provide a broader platform for
industrial sector development.

The country is committed to open and liberalized market economy which

implies that the Northern region inevitably faces the waves of well-developed
corporate sector from the southern part of the country. When this, hitherto
closed region is opened, the ability to face strong competition a dynamic and
vibrant entrepreneurial inputs with uninterrupted production and marketing
process and extraordinary incentives system will be needed in the initial
stages. All these require a high level planning and plan implementation. Such a
plan should efficiently integrate the elements required for penetrating broader
markets, community taste preferences, challenges related to energies, prices
and social development imperatives, particularly in Health and Education
sector. Hence planning itself a challenging exercise. In this circumstances, only
the Northern Provincial administration strives to develop the region in all
aspect of agriculture, irrigation, industry, Health ,education and infrastructure.
Hence a comprehensive frame work becomes a need of the time. All sector
departments were requested to come up with their medium plans for their
respective sectors. This plan was prepared for the agriculture sector having the
crop sector development in the province as its main focus. The exercise itself
underwent a lengthy consultative process. This document represents fairly a
comprehensive picture of needs and strategies. This will serve as a source of
ideas for various development interventions in this sector It is our wish that
this document is made use of by every individual interested in agriculture
development.

I thank personally for his endeavors and engagement in preparing this plan for
agriculture sector particularly crop sector development of the Northern
Province.

Mr .S.Rangarajah,
Chief Secretary,
Northern Provincial Council
 Preface

Northern Province consists of five districts. Natural endowments of the

province are the strength for development of agriculture sector in the region.
Major sector for economic development of the northern region is agriculture
which includes crop, livestock and inland fisheries. In developed countries,
agriculture was a platform for industrial development. The pace of economic
growth of the sector until the emergence of conflict in 1983 was satisfactory.
The conflict over two decades had tremendous impact on agricultural growth
in the country. Societies in the conflict areas which were badly affected both
physically and financially are just emerging out of the impact of the war.
Revival of economic assets, development of infrastructures and effective
resource utilization are major considerations in the planning process while
thinking of quick rehabilitation to meet the present day development
requirement of the country. Rehabilitation provides a good opportunity for
modernizing economic infrastructures.

In the context of planning process, agriculture development planning plays a

vital role in the rural sector development. The land development and crop
development should drive investment in the industrial sector. The research
and development play a key role in making the economy market oriented and
strong in the years to come. Learning from world economic development, the
research agencies should link with the university system and the development
should link with the business world. At this juncture the initiative taken by the
Provincial Director of Agriculture – Northern Province to prepare a master plan
for crop sector development is very much timely. The master plan prepared
covers almost all aspects of future development including the identification of
projects that are required for such development. It is earnestly hoped that this
plan will be implemented resulting in the improvement of the living standard
of the affected people in the North.

Prof. C.Sivayoganathan
Dept. of Agric. Extension,
Faculty of agriculture,
University of Peradeniya.
 Pre- ample

With consent encouragement of Chief Secretary Northern Province, the long

term plan for agriculture crop development for Northern Region as prepared.
Service experience in the districts of north and the east region on crop
production improvement and development program implementation and the
sharing of experience and ideas of senior staff of the Department of
Agriculture has accounted for the success of this plan preparation. It is hoped
that identified plans for crop production and institutional development are
very needed for regional rural livelihood development.

The country has been put in to civil conflicts since 1983. Since then, the
economic development situation in the conflict areas especially in Northern
and Eastern provinces have not been so conducive but caused a gradual
economic deterioration over the period of two decade and rendered no
dynamic encouragement for economic development. With the formation of
provincial council in 1987 along with devolution of power, the Provincial
Departments as centres of responsibility for development services were
established under the purview of Provincial Ministries and took over the
responsibility of implementing economic and development activities in the
region in close coordination with respective central agencies who implements
certain activities in the provinces as per devolved subjects. Thus, Provincial
Department of Agriculture was established under the Ministry of agriculture,
Land, Irrigation Livestock and Inland fisheries to cater services for agriculture
crop production development to the community. Coordination, collaboration
and linkages between provincial and central agencies are necessary for
effective program implementation.

Prolong war rendered the community to living with hoping mechanism and the
economic status becoming worse than that of pre-conflict situation. Fulfillment
of preconditions for Institutional, social, economic and environment
development for a full fledge and comprehensive development service to
community and economic program implementation are necessary. Modernized
form of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, Reorganization and Revitalization are
necessary for speedy and balance development. Any resource becomes
redundant unless a positive attitude is instilled in the minds of the people so
that the rural five capitals will be developed. Social integration, institutional
rebuilding and social mobilization are the principles for rural capital
development. The community of Northern Province is well characterized as
conflict emerging society and needed a well defined mobilization service
leading to community and livelihood development. National economic
development is basically depends on rural economic development. Resource
endowments of the northern region spell out needs of agriculture based
economic development in the rural sector. The present trend of global
agriculture development clearly indicates the type of development the
northern region needs. This resulted in a thought of preparing a master plan
for agriculture crop development.

Consultation with the senior staff of agriculture department and problem tree
analysis and needs assessment workshop gave idea of developing strategies
and projects. Further, moral encouragement by chief secretary and literal
suggestion by Prof T. Sivayoganathan was as a catalyst for this comprehensive
plan preparation.

This master plan contains the strategic aspect of sustainable crop production
of paddy, Other Field Crops and Horticultural crops, agro- enterprise
development, market development, institutional and organizational service
improvements and sustainable resource managements. Social
institutionalization and participation are focused in marketing direction as
adopted in the leading Asian countries and some of the aspect of integrated
water management concept. Extension strategies and approaches to different
group of farmers were focused. This comprehensive master plan which
consists of short, medium and long term suggested projects on productivity,
capacity and institutional development is the product of Department of
Agriculture, Northern Province. With the series of discussion and identification
of projects by problem and objective tree analysis with the senior staff of
Department of Agriculture, the plan was prepared.

The plan was edited by Professor T.Sivayoganathan, Head, Agriculture

extension, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peraadeniya and approved by
the chief secretary, Northern Provincial council.

K. Subramaniam,
Provincial Director of Agriculture (NP)
Department of agriculture (NP)
Northern Provincial Council
 Contents Page
Chapter 1. General Information of the Province -03
1.1 -Demography -03
1.2- Land & Soil -04
1.3- Land development -05
1.4-Ecology -05
1.5-Rainfall -05
1.6-Temperarture -05
1.7-Water Source -06

Chapter 2. Policy, Objectives & Strategies -07

2.1-Objectives -07
2.2-Strategies -08
2.3-Extension Strategy -10
2.4-Social institutionalization Strategy -11
2.5-Sustainable resource management strategy -11
2.6- Investment strategy -12
2.7-Regional strength for development -12
2.8- Challenges Ahead -14

Chapter 3. Agricultural Institutions & Support services -16

3.1-Agriculture Department -16
3.2-Agriculture extension Service -17
3.3- Agricultural training service -18
3.4- Services of the central Department of Agriculture (CDoA) -19
3.5- Seed Certification Service (SCS) -19
3.6- Agricultural Research -20
3.7- Allied Government Organizations -21
3.8- Social institutions/Organizations -22

Chapter 4. Status of the sector, Strategies & Projects for Development -24
4.1-Cereal Sub Sector Development -24
4.2- Subsidiary Food Crop Sector -33
4.3- Yams and Tuber crops Development -40
4.4- Oil crops -43
4.5- Horticulture crops sub sector -47
4.6-Extension programme for horticulture development -67
4.7- Vegetable Crops -68
4.8- Diversified Alternative Farming Technology Development for
Eco – Management-Green Agriculture -78
4.9- Organic Farming -80

Chapter 5. Cultivation of Aromatic crops -82

5.1- Potential for Cultivation of aromatic crop in the region -82
5.2- Cultivation of Betel -83
5.3- Spice cultivation -83

Chapter 6. Agriculture Related enterprise development -85

6.1- Fertilizer Related Activities -85
6.2- Chemical Related Activities -87
6.3- Value Addition Related Activities -88
6.4- Floriculture Development -88
6.5- Development of Apiculture -89
6.6- Mush room Cultivation -89
6.7- Cashew Development -90
6.8- Sugarcane cultivation -91
6.9-Cocnut development -91
6.10- Agro-forestry -91
6.11-Bamboo forest plantation development -92
6.12- Aquaculture Development -93
 Contents Page
Chapter 7. Agriculture Marketing -94
7.1- Present Constraints in Marketing in the region -98
7.2- Market Development Strategy -97
7.3-Market system development -100

Chapter 8. Seed & Planting Material Production & Development -103

8.1-Seed production -104
8.2- Planting Material Production -106

Chapter 9.Water Resource Management -107

9.1- Irrigation Schemes in the Region -107
9.2- Watershed Management -108
9.3- Water Conservation and management -108
9.4- Command Area Development -109
9.5- Rain Water Harvesting -109
9.6- Diversion of River -110
9.7-Integrated wasteland development -110
9.8-Drought prone area development -110

Chapter 10. Institutional Development and organizational strengthening -111

10.1- Provincial Department of Agriculture -111
10.2- Agriculture Extension and development -111
10.3-Weakness in present system -117
10.4-Agriculture development -118
10.5-Need of the participatory research and technology development approach -120
10.6- Strategic institutional Requirement for Extension Service Delivery Improvement -120
10.7- Agriculture Training and Capacity Building -127
10.8-Requirement of vehicle and other machineries for extension -132
10.9-Requirement of buildings -133
10.10-Personnel requirement for agriculture extension -133

Chapter 11 Agriculture Research and Development -134

11.1- Research Institutions in the region -134
11.2- Strategies for Research Development -135
11.3- Organizational development -136
11.4-Personnel requirement for research -137

Chapter 12 Seed and Planting Material Development Centre (S&PMC) -138

12.1- Personnel requirement for Seed and Planting material production and Seed
Certification Service -139
12.2-Support needed by the government -140
Recommendation -141
Conclusion -142
Annexure – 01 Present organizational setup -143
Annexure – 02 Suggested organizational structures -144
Annexure – 03 Logical frame matrix -145
Annexure – 04 Implementation calendar -151
 Introduction
Agriculture is the major economic sector of the Northern Province. The sector includes crop,
livestock and inland fisheries. The sector was well developed in the region before the
conflict. The crop production and its development had been satisfactory in terms of
technology adoption, management and per hectare yield and the region had been an
exporter to southern part of the country before start of the conflict. The conflict started in
1983. Since then, the provincial economic development along with crop production sector
has deteriorated until today. And the loss of productive assets, damage of infrastructure,
restricted access to economic needs and deprivation of opportunities further aggravated
the economic deterioration. Population in the region has just been emerging from the
impact of the conflict. As such, the province must necessarily go through a process of
reconstruction before embarking into a meaningful development.

Agriculture is the mainstay of over 65% of the population’s livelihood in Sri Lanka. In the
recent past, country’s agriculture sector contribution to GDP has reduced to 12% and labor
force reduced to 30%. This resulted in food importation and ever-increasing inflation. It is
well attributed to inadequate local/domestic production and import substitution.

Agriculture sector, industrial sector and service sector are major role players in economic
growth of the country. According to Central Bank (2007) sector-wise contribution to
national economic growth is 11% for agriculture, 26% for industry and 63% for service. This
indicates deterioration of agriculture sector and the status of agriculture in economic
growth despite Sri Lankan is characterized as agriculture country. Therefore, due
consideration is to be given to revive agriculture sector in modern way.

Agriculture sector was instrumental for development of industrial sector in developed

countries and accounts for industrial development in most of the Asian countries. It is no
doubt that agriculture is an engine of growth in the countries like Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka,
agriculture takes 30% of the labor force within its operation. But in the Northern Province, it
is more and has potential to absorb yet more labor force within the sector if due
development consideration is given to this sector.

Sustainable resource base development, agro - based industry development, market

development, sophisticated infrastructure development, social institutional development
for participatory planning and sustainable productivity measures through an integrated
holistic and multi-sectoral planning approach are major considerations for agriculture sector
development in the region. Ideal institutional development and organizational
strengthening within the regional arm-pit and administrative purview for need based service
delivery system improvement are considered vital.
However, this book deals a comprehensive strategy options for crop sector development
and some related aspect of resource management. It includes projects that take advantages
of available resources and opportunities, Projects that directly target the solution of
identified weaknesses and projects that need support of the government and private
participation for expansion of commercial orientation.

Rural Sector Status

It is obvious that the persistent poverty is a barrier for country’s development. The poverty
exists more in rural areas than urban. About 60% of the population lives in rural area.
Agriculture sector will grow in the absolute term generating income in the rural sector
thereby partly contributing to rural poverty. Hence, alleviation of rural poverty helps
develop the country.

With the liberal economy in 1977, rural peasant sector started declining in its development
trend and the government too gave priority to estate sector and industrial sector. Extension
of rural agriculture declined further with market changes and other external factors and it
also deteriorated the human resource development of the rural areas and limit the
investment resource in economic activities. As a result, rural activities turned to non-estate
crop cultivation and backyard livestock husbandry which failed to give employment
opportunity and led to shift away from agriculture toward other employment opportunities.
Nevertheless, small entrepreneurs’ income from rural industries in the region helped to
increase their income. Thus, extension of non-farm economic development became a
contributory factor for poverty alleviation in rural sector. However, inadequate
infrastructure such as market, road, and transport facilities and poor transaction network
have become constraints for further development in industrial sector. This reduced not only
the opportunity of local marketing but socio-economic benefit from external society.

Institutional deficiencies; Access to basic service, information, and market and technology
services is another problem faced by rural people to have fundamental requirement for
securing a decent livelihood and opportunity for modernizing the economic activities
resulting in unable to compete with the market demand. Wide service gap between service
providers and end users deprived people to articulate their needs and to gain access to
private and public service system and proper knowledge about current information on
production and marketing. Further, lack of storage services compels farmers for a distress
sale of their fresh products immediately after harvest. This is another cause for ongoing
rural poverty. Lack of energy supply caused cultivation of other field crops (OFC),
vegetables and fruit crops to be neglected.

Inappropriate asset and capability; despite diverse knowledge and coping strategies among
rural population, capacity to take advantages of new opportunities and to cope with new
challenges are not equally distributed. Further, poor market access and market
development interventions constraint the use of resource by the rural people hence
deprived of capturing opportunities for development options and participating in market
development. Market network infrastructure development in such a way to accommodate
rural people in the market process is an indispensable component for rural mass poverty
reduction. Further, in rural where resources are consumed by small holders, a sustainable
resource management system development become necessary in the region.

Rural Livelihood Development

Technology transfer service is mainly focused on the farm family’s livelihood development
by improving their income from crop production based economic activities with the support
of rural infrastructure development and other support activities.

Community Development

Social institutionalization plays vital role in agriculture development. Production, storage,

marketing and enterprise development will be streamlined by institutionalization. Extension
service delivery helps developing community through institutionalization for economic
promotion. Community empowerment in terms of crop production system is the focal point
of the extension system.
 Chapter – 1

General Information of the Province

Provincial Councils administration came into being under the 13th amendment of the
constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Northern Provincial
Council was formed with the bifurcation of North-East provincial council in the year 2007.
The northern region has a total area of nearly 8850 sq km which is only 12% of the land area
of the country, while its population estimated as 1.1million in 1981 constitutes 9% of the
total population of the country. The per capita land holding is 1 ha against the National
average of 1.5 hectare and only about 17% of total provincial land is for crop sector
development. Northern Province covers 05 administrative districts with 33 Divisional
Secretariat divisions and 911 village administrative divisions. The region has 28 divisional
councils, five urban councils and one municipal council.

Northern Province agriculture sector at present can be well characterized as unorganized,

unregulated, not market and development oriented and very arbiter. This kind of
production feature is common in the region/ country under conflict and crisis management.
This situation gives to the sector a great opportunity for re-orientation of development
perspectives with modernization while rehabilitating the sector damage. Over the last 50
years, Department of Agriculture concentrated on crop production improvement and the
research trend was to find suitable technologies to withstand adverse condition and sustain
production. But, in the globalization context, a need based development concept and post-
production sector development take precedence.

Agriculture is, in a broad term, encompassing all aspects of crop production, livestock
farming, fisheries and forestry. In terms of food security, income level and employment,
crop farming is the main pillar of the district economy. The region is a paddy surplus area
which supplies rice to other regions, too. The region has a land area of 885000 hectares of
which over 50% of the land area is occupied by perennial, annual and seasonal crops. Forest
and range lands cover nearly 27,000 hectares of the land area.

1.1. Demography

Northern region was severely affected by prolonged war and the populations were
displaced elsewhere. However, the present population is given in table 1.

Table1. District wise population

District Population Farm families

Jaffna 604766 66171
Kilinochchi 198590 19950
Mullaitivu 132291 21979
Vavuniya 180943 28605
Mannar 103937 10842
Total 1220527 147547
1.2. Land and Soil

The land of the region is relatively flat and of low elevation towards the coast. Six major soil
groups have been identified in the region.

The dominant group of soil in the region is Reddish Brown Earth (RBE). The association of
Low Humic Gley (LHG) with RBE soil (92%) is well suited for paddy cultivation. Red Yellow
Latesol, Non-Calsic Brown soil and Grumusol exist in Kilinochchi, Jaffna and Mannar areas
respectively. The RBE has low organic matter content and the nitrogen and phosphorus
status is usually low while potassium status varies from medium to low. These soils are very
well supplied in calcium and magnesium, and they have a very good cat-ion exchange
capacity. By tropical standards, these soils could be considered as having a very good
chemical quality. The other soil types are alluvial of variable drainage and texture (4%), Rock
Knob Plain (2%), Erosion remnants (1%) and Solodized Solonets & Solonchaks (1%).

Fig 1: Major soil distribution in the region

Soil group distribution in the Northern Province
1.3. Land Development
Land is a scarce resource in the region. Efficient and effective eco-friendly land use
management, land conservation and preservation and appropriate/ scientific land based
resource management are imperative as the land expansion for agriculture is limited.
Land use in relation to agriculture is given in Table 2

Table-2 - Land use pattern

Vavuniya Mannar Mullaitivu Kilinochchi Jaffna Total
Total land 196640 200200 251690 123711 102369 874610
area (ha)
Agriculture 75550 33815 53506 59782 66241 288894
land
Paddy 16841 18951 9052 12487 - 57331
irrigated land
Paddy rainfed 4169 4109 7484 12555 13131 41448
land
Forrest land 92210 36890 167850 35110 290 332350

1.4 Ecology
The region falls under low country dry - zone with 04 agro – ecological sub divisional zones
as DL1, DL2, DL3 and DL4. The mean annual temperature is 28oC, the highest temperature
recorded is 32 oC and the lowest is 28 oC. Annual rainfall is 1200 mm to 1500 mm; 75% of the
precipitation is received from North- east monsoon in the months of October- December.
Weather is one of the most important factors that determine the crop extent to be
cultivated and the yield to be obtained.

1.5. Rainfall
The region falls under the low country dry zone and agro ecological zone of DL1 and DL-4.
The total mean annual rainfall ranges from 1250 mm to 1720 mm out of which 65% - 75% is
received during October – March period (Maha season) and the rest during April –
September period (Yala season). The total rainfall in the region when compared with arid
regions is high in aggregate terms but highly seasonal. The North- East monsoon is the main
source of rain for the dry zone and lasts from October or early November to late December
or early January. During these 2-3 months, most dry zone stations received 45% - 55% of the
total annual rainfall. The rainfall during the pre North – East monsoon period, i.e., late
September or early October is caused largely by cyclonic activity and provides another 20% -
25% of the rainfall. Thus, about 65%-75% of the rainfall is concentrated into a period less
than 4 months (October to January). Though occasional heavy rains occur in late March and
early April, the seasonality of the rainfall is so marked that three to four months of drought
is common in normal years. In lean years, there has been six months of absolute drought.
These rainy periods determine the cropping seasons and cropping extent.

1.6. Temperature

Temperature prevailing in the region ranges from 23oC to 38oC with a mean ambient
temperature of 28.7oC and it is low during the period of October to January.
1.7. Water Source
1.7.1. Irrigation schemes
There are 65 major and medium irrigation schemes and 698 functional minor irrigation
schemes out of 2038 minor tanks. Iranamadu and Giant Tank are the largest and the oldest
irrigation schemes in the region. The Irrigation schemes mainly depend on rainfall run off
and river basins for capacity filling. As there are no perennial rivers, seasonal rivers drain off
the rainfall water into the tank. Nevertheless, Surface runoff water is stored in the irrigation
tanks. More than thousand minor irrigation schemes are available but only some of them
are functional with irrigation system for crop cultivation.

Under the donor agent projects, minor irrigation schemes have been rehabilitated with
improved irrigation structures for cultivation. The physical resource base suggests that the
region has tremendous potential for agriculture. However, there are certain environmental
issues, particularly the inland salinity and major and minor irrigation tank pollution that
need careful consideration in the region.

1.7.2. Lift irrigation

There are open dug agro-wells and tube wells constructed by the farmers for agriculture
crop production purpose in most of the cropping area and Pumping water from such agro-
wells and tube wells by water pump is extensively practiced in the region, mainly for the
cultivation of high value cash crops. The rate of recharge of the wells with irrigation depends
on the ground water level and on the water in the adjoining reservoirs/tanks.
Further, some of the irrigation schemes are merely meant for the cultivation of OFC.
However the Lift irrigation system of such schemes should be rehabilitated and facilities
improved. But Extractions of water from such irrigation schemes for high value food crops
cultivation through lift irrigation system constructed was practiced in the pre- conflict
period. Due to the conflict, the lift irrigation systems were damaged and the farmers had
lost lift irrigation facilities for OFC cultivation. Types of water sources are given in Table 4

Table-4: Types of Water source in the region

Jaffna Kilinochchi Mullaitivu Mannar Vavuniya Total

Major tank no 04 03 03 01 11
Medium tank no 10 15 08 21 54
Minor tank no 216 178 344 690 1428
Agro-wells 19261 14880 1890 10499 733 47263
Tube wells 16 0 50 25 91
Functional no 253 112 144 500 1009
minor tank
Open dug well 110000 12500 0 0 5621 128121
Abandoned 0 60 50 53 163
tank / breached
Rehabilitated 25 25 26 40 116
tank
Ponds 722 no 35 no no 631
 Chapter - 2

Policy, Objectives and Strategies

Policy

Agriculture sector development after I990 has faced several constraints and was determined
by several factors such as success in overcoming constraints faced by the sector, rural
economic situation and ability to seek opportunities in the national market as well as
strategies toward increasing competitiveness in the market. However, in order to guide the
future development of agriculture sector, the National Agricultural Policy (NAP) was
launched on 3rd September-2007 which seeks to address the major weaknesses such as the
decreasing sectoral productivity and implied income differences between the agriculture
sector and other sectors particularly the manufacturing sector, insufficient viable option to
supply-side constraint as well as the lack in taking advantages of market opportunities and
lack of capability to manage the development challenges at both national and international
levels.

Hence, agriculture policy thrust continues to accelerate the transformation of the sector
into a modern, commercial and sustainable sector. Development of the sector still focuses
on market orientation and human resource development. It also intends to create a
dynamic and vibrant agriculture sector comprising agribusinesses, farms and enterprises.
Rapid innovations in production management, processing, productivity improvement and
technology adoption are the basis of the growth of the sector. Intensive efforts on research
and development by public and private sector, market development, human resource
development and production infrastructure development will be a catalyst to the process of
agricultural transformation.
The NAP facilitates not only to maintain income maximization through optimal utilization of
resources as its overriding objective, but also aims to achieve a balanced development
between the agriculture sector and manufacturing sector, enhancing sector integration with
the rest of the economy. The NAP outlined main strategies which include the optimization
of resource use, accelerating industrial development, enhancement of research
development efforts and technological diffusion, encouraging greater role of the private
sector in transforming agriculture into viable agribusinesses and commercial undertakings,
reformation of marketing to penetrate and explore new and traditional markets,
establishing a dynamic food industry, developing viable and self- reliant farmers’
associations and restructuring the agriculture sector. The creation of entrepreneurs and
business community among farmers will be the push to achieve the changes in agriculture
sector. In addition, potential and roles of overseas market will be focused with greater
emphasis and exploited fully to support the growth of the sector.

2.1. Objectives

The overriding objective of the policy is the maximization of income through optimal
utilization of resources. Its specific aims include the achievement of a balanced
development between the agriculture and manufacturing sectors, enhancement of the
integration of the sector with the rest of the economy and greater depth of food industry
development.
One of the major objectives in crop agriculture is to break away from subsistence agriculture
system into commercially oriented agriculture systems by promoting intensive high value
market-led crop production. The commercially oriented agriculture would readily find a
market, both domestic and external, promote greater employment and incomes and a
higher standard of living.

Against the above objective of a shift in agricultural policy from monoculture farming to an
export oriented agricultural structure, the fact that development of new farm land has
essentially approached its critical limit and there has been a likewise shift away from the
construction of new irrigation facilities to facilitate rehabilitation in order to upgrade the
irrigation efficiency of obsolete irrigation facilities and increase the productivity and
cropping intensity of existing cultivated land. In order to achieve this, institutional and
organization aspects affecting irrigation and extension system operation have been given
priority, and the need to introduce an operation and maintenance system based on the
participation of beneficiary farmers has been recognized.

2.2. Strategies

The long term growth and development objectives for the creation of a modern and
commercialized agriculture sector will be achieved through the implementation of the
following strategies.

2.2.1. Demand- pulls crop cultivation

The crop diversification is advocated under well-drained paddy fields of the irrigation
schemes to go for diversified demand pull crop cultivation because of availability of
irrigation infrastructure facilities. Most of the paddy land under minor tanks is suitable for
diversification. Farmers are more receptive to better management of the water resources
and are able to handle the new crops or technologies that would give higher returns than at
present.

The demand for certain vegetables and fruits is on the increasing trend with growing urban
population and the tourist industry in the country. There is also an export potential for
selected fruits and vegetables in fresh and processed form. The nucleus farm/ out-grower
system will be emphasized to involve larger number of small growers so as to render agro-
processing and marketing commercially viable. Special attention will be given to production
of oil seeds to meet local demand in vegetable oil (Sunflower oil, Groundnut oil etc)

2.2.2. Optimization of Resource Use or Conservation Agriculture

The agricultural sector is facing the constraints of increased limitations of water resources,
input availability, shortages of labour and above all, the need to sustain and enhance its
competitiveness in both domestic and world markets. At the same time, there exist
extensive areas of land which are not utilized. Depletion of resources and pollution are the
major challenges ahead. The exploitation of substantial growth possibilities arising from the
synergistic effect of the linkages (both forward and backward) will be an important
consideration in the development of land, crop types and related sub – sector development
and production methods within agriculture. The promotion of further downstream
development drawing upon local resources and involving integrated projects will therefore
be one important feature of this strategy.
Land

Rehabilitation and consolidation of abandoned agricultural land will be further focused,

expanded and supported with specific annual targets. This effort will be supplemented with
the formulation of a comprehensive land use plan which incorporates inter and intra-
sectoral needs. In addition, short term measures to address problems of specific location
will be undertaken.

Water

The efficiency of water resource management and use in agriculture will be enhanced to
increase its yield attainment and ensure the long term sustainability of resources. So the
development strategy may focus on rehabilitation of the irrigation schemes based on
potential, crop diversification in paddy fields with high value vegetables, fruits and other
field crops. Further integrated approach for water management will be the best solution for
agriculture.

2.2.3. Agro – Based Dynamic Food Industry Development

There is a large and expanding domestic market which can be used as a base for the
creation of a strong local food production and processing industry to supply the national
needs both in terms of quantity and quality. In addition to the substantial potentials for
import substitution and meeting additional demand arising from population will be met by
expanding outlets for products. The research and development (R&D) efforts, promotional
and incentive policies will be geared towards the long term development of a viable food
production and related processing industry. A Food Policy emphasizing both quality and
nutritional aspects will also be formulated and implemented to complement the above
efforts.

Another approach to agro-industrial development will be to establish industrial zones,

provide credit lines to enable farmers to re- establish their operation and to promote
private sector initiatives in establishing new industries. Linking of agricultural production
and its level structure and composition with the future growth of the manufacturing sector,
in particular, agro-based and related downstream industries provide opportunities for
further creation of value-added and processing agriculture products which have strong
potentials for import substitution and exports.

2.2.4. Extension and Research Development (R&E)

Extension and research innovation are essential ingredients to realize the changes envisaged
in the policy. This will involve improvements in resource management, production methods,
processes and packaging, and plant varieties that contribute to increase productivity and
efficiency consistent with the changing resource endowments of the country. The
contribution of R&E to growth will be realized through greater diffusion of technologies,
drawing upon both foreign and local resources and the exploitation of potentials offered by
biotechnology and high technology farming and husbandry systems. The R&E activities
involving joint efforts between the private and public sectors will be promoted and
expanded to sustain and enhance productivity and production capabilities. The existing
regional research and extension service delivery machinery of the sector will also be
improved, reorganized and strengthened to ensure that they provide the necessary support
for the newly oriented agriculture. Training of staff and farmers will be intensified. The
NGOs will be supported to undertake activities on post-harvest technology and start
involving in food technology.

2.2.5. Role of the Private Sector

The task of transforming agriculture into viable agribusinesses and commercial undertakings
and the one that is dynamic and competitive in both world and local markets will involve the
predominant role of the private sector. Their expertise viz the rich and varied
entrepreneurial, managerial and marketing skills, innovativeness, capital resources,
marketing and distribution net work will be tapped and put to efficient use. The regulatory
incentives and policy framework will be supportive of the strategy that aims at building- up
the growth and development of the agriculture sector on the resources and resourcefulness
of the private sector including the farmers’ and fishermen’s organization. Both famers’ and
fishermen’s organizations will be encouraged and promoted to participate in commercial
and agribusinesses undertakings including joint ventures with local as well as foreign
investors.

2.2.6. Market Reformation

The rate and direction of agricultural growth will hinge on the capability of the sector to
penetrate and expand new and traditional markets and to generate supplies to meet the
quality and quantity needs of domestic and international markets. Issues related to market
access, competition, market shares, prices and trade practices will be addressed through an
integrated approach combining demand and supply aspects and by creating conditions for
market transparency and participation. The marketing efforts will ensure customer
satisfaction and that the products are competitive, specifically oriented to changing market
and consumer preferences and responsive to market needs and opportunities.

2.2.7 Measure for resource conservation

Measure for rural resource conservation - land, water and environment, rebuilding
agriculture organization, renovation of agriculture infrastructure, support for farming
activities have to be considered for speedy development. Adoption of subsidy scheme is one
optional measure for resource conservation and quick impact activities.

2.3. Extension Strategy

Northern region crop production sector is characterized as small scale and multidiscipline
cropping system. The changing agenda of public sector extension requires that extension
clients, as they are engaged in number of agriculture related economic activities, increase
their efficiency, competitiveness and ability to compete in global market. In this face of
competitive forces, producer requires variety of information and skill to be able to respond
to market signal and constantly evolving market. These circumstances require extension
program to provide more diverse service. Besides, agriculture extension in transition has
been influenced by global trend in new challenges and approaches to promote sustainable
agriculture, targeting poverty reduction, natural resource and environmental conservation,
market oriented and broader rural information system. Sustainable agriculture development
advocates the focus on agro-ecological extension approach while commercial agriculture
focus with input substitution strategy and export orientation.

Therefore, a holistic, people centered and integrated development approach will be more
successful and meaningful. A comprehensive strategy is to have tripartite system of
development: That is to focus the following which reflects the Regional Rural Development
concept.

1. Natural Resource Management system. 2. Agriculture Production System. 3. Rural

Livelihood System and Market system.

RLS(Socio-economic dimension)

Rural
Development
Triad

(Political dimension) APS NRM (Environment dimension)

2.4. Social institutionalization strategy

Social Institutionalization is another focal point for developing group participation in

production, marketing and resource utilization. Agriculture cooperatives have long history
of success in cooperative action even though some failure cases experienced. Agriculture
cooperatives usually develop in rural economies during the transformation from self
sufficiency to full market production. Agriculture cooperatives had success stories in EU
countries. in 20th century. Since the community in the region is characterized as conflict
emerging society with limited resource availability, participatory approach is advisable. By
joining forces and initiating economic cooperation, farmers can strengthen their position in
the production and market. Under the influence of current trend in market-oriented reform,
privatization, decentralization and participation, cooperatives are currently being
rediscovered as suitable organizational structure for realizing the economic initiatives of
farmers.

2.5. Sustainable resource management strategy

Most of the resources are lying in rural region and consumed by small holders, this
necessitates to develop a frame condition for sustainable resource management system
development and a site and target -group -specific production. Community based
participatory resource management will ensure resource exploitation limit of shared and
individual owned resource
2.6. Investment strategy

Further, some of the key strategies to attract investment are to develop high quality
infrastructure projects like special economic zone, export processing zone and Technology
Park etc. This will attract outside investment. Therefore, the following are to be established
for better agriculture development

• Federated Farmer cooperative /society organization

• Cooperative economic market and processing centres
• Research, educational and enterprise development centres
• Technology Park for entrepreneurships. etc

2.7. Regional Strength for Development

The region has natural endowments, manmade infrastructures and a viable, competitive
and enthusiastic social as strength to speedy development of the region

2.7.1. Natural Endowment

Northern region has tremendous natural endowment in its possession. Prudent exploitation
of its endowment in the direction of economic development is the superior advantage
before going for advanced economic activities. Some of the natural endowments to be
mentioned are land and its soil productivity suitable for tropical and semitropical crop
cultivation, availability of natural water reservoir and ground water spring for year round
cultivation and broader bio diversity for crop selection in breeding.

2.7.2. Social Strength

Almost 85% of the population belongs to agrarian society and has interest and keen in
agriculture economic activities. Self reliance policy of society, intrinsically motivated
community for self actualization, very receptive for knowledge and change process and
curiosity in taking advantage of the available options are the socio- cultural and behavioral
strength to economic development.

The institutionalized system of participatory crop production and marketing were well
established in the region. There were many commodity based societies, and farmer
organizations who had contributed in many ways to agriculture development, Due to ethnic
conflict, social institutionalized system was disturbed and disorganized. This can be
revitalized and reorganized.

2.7.3. Technical Strength

With the advent of Information Communication Technology, global become village and
technologies can be easily accessed at any time and by any person. Further, technologies
innovated by the research division of the Department of Agriculture are readily available for
immediate application for crop production improvement.
2.7.4. Public Institution and organizational Strength

The presence of public service delivery institutions has been facilitating development
activities for growth enhancement. Nine developments oriented public Institutions are
present in the Northern region for service delivery toward rural community and livelihood
development with economic activities. Apart from this, Department of Agriculture with its
own peripheral extension and training wings and diverse research institutes are present for
delivery of service in all quarters in crop sector development for sustainable livelihood
enhancement of the agrarian community.

2.7.5. Marketing

Demand for food commodity with changes in consumption pattern toward healthier and
natural food and ever growing standard of livings creates demand for fresh and type of food
commodity among population in the world. The globalization and urbanization create
competitiveness in crop production requirement and product marketing. A steady market
for quality food commodity will prevail.

2.7.6. Bio-diversity

Several traditional species and wild types which possess many desired characters are
available in the region for exploitation in genetic engineering and selection make up. Several
mango tribes and jack tribes peculiar to the region can be exploited for development with
demand.

2.7.7. Advantages of small farming

Productivity is defined as an output per unit input. Biological productivity means output per
unit land. Small biodiversity farm has higher productivity than that of monoculture; higher
biological productivity translates into higher income to small farmers.
As such, Small scale farming feature in the region has another advantage in the promotion
of cropping system and organic agriculture which is a growing trend for health concern.
Small farmer has tremendous scope for increasing productivity because the natural capital
such as soil, water, bio-diversity, can be enhanced through conservation and rejuvenation.
A small farmer can intensify bio-diversity and higher the bio-diversity, the higher the
productivity and stability and sustainability of agriculture. Small bio-diverse farm based on
internal input is the only promise to increase productivity that is defined in terms of
biological productivity and financial productivity in terms of energy.

2.7.8. Advantages of Micro organism

Use of micro organism in crop cultivation to sustain soil productivity by mobilizing micro
organism in such a way to increase microbial action to improve soil fertility either by
(nitrogen) fixation of elements or by conversion of insoluble form (phosphorous) into
soluble form. Nitrogen and phosphorous are two of the major elements needed for
productivity improvement of the soil. Mobilizing micro organism having the beneficial effect
in nutrient cycle of the soil is a natural way of improving soil fertility. This phenomenon can
be activated in the soil with application of bio production of micro organism such as azato
bactor, azolla and azokpirullam etc.
2.8. Challenges Ahead

2.8.1. Thrust of the Agriculture Sector

Rehabilitation and revitalization will remain as the main thrust of the agriculture sector in
order to enable the sector to secure a higher rate of growth and subsequently to continue
its contribution to the GDP. Revitalization will continue to be based on efficient utilization of
resources and the modernization of smallholding sub-sector. This will reduce the problems
of dualism and will make the smallholding sub- sector more productive and competitive.
Efforts will continue to be focused on more effective land development programs. In view of
the increasing scarcity of suitable land, new land development can no longer persist as the
major strategy for agriculture growth. Therefore, concentration will be more on in – situ
development approach with special emphasis given to land rehabilitation and consolidation
and also the betterment of existing farm organization through large scale group farming and
nucleus- estates with active participation from private sector.

The second thrust is to improve the competitiveness of agricultural export commodities, in

order to increase their resilience and enable them to compete efficiently in the competitive
market, despite the presence of competitors endowed with cheaper factors of production.
In this regard, problems of increase in cost of production due to rising factors will be
reduced by appropriate technology. This will be achieved through biotechnology and more
efficient and effective research and development efforts.

The third thrust of the sector will be the continuation of the current diversification efforts,
both horizontal and vertical. Diversification is imperative in diversifying the sources of
growth to reduce the fluctuation of market earnings due to the fluctuation of commodity
prices and to reap economic opportunities in both the domestic as well as national markets.
Horizontal diversification will be based on economic viability and agro-climatic consideration
and emphasis will be on high valued market oriented cash crops. Vertical diversification will
be seen from the development of agro- business and agro- industries.

The fourth thrust of the sector is to strengthen human and institutional development
mechanism. This will involve the implementation of effective programs in order to inculcate
positive values such as being highly motivated, creative and dynamic among farmers. This
will make them more responsive to new advanced technologies, willing to work in groups
and capable of being self- reliant. Pragmatic approaches are necessary to overcome some
weaknesses in institutional development.

The fifth thrust is to sustain the resource utilization-land, Water and natural resources such
as forest and mangroves and lagoons, for environmental safe guard. Sustainable
development- in another term- Green economy is based on the knowledge of ecological
economies and green economies that aim at addressing the interdependence of human
economies and natural ecosystem and the adverse impact of human economic activities on
climate change and global warming. Measures on sustainable development and sustainable
resource use has to be seriously focused to reduce the resource depletion.

Overall, the agriculture sector’s thrusts are directed towards enhancement of agriculture
contribution to the whole economy and strengthening intra and inter-sectoral linkages,
especially with industry. The present inherent comparative advantage and commanding
lead acquired thus far in terms of technological application in the development of several
crops will constitute the fundamentals for the rapid transformation of the production
structure and inter – sectoral linkage. This is anticipated to lead towards a more productive,
efficient and resilient agriculture sector specifically as an important foundation for the
development of the agro – based industries and to attain distributional objective.

2.8.2. Dentro-Thermal Energy (DTE)

Fuel crisis will be a problem for agriculture development in future in the region. Increase of
cost of production is imminent as labour and energy is limited. However, the ever escalating
price of crude oil in the world market has caused a continuous increase of price of fossil fuel
resulting in finding an alternative way for fuel. Bio-fuel is one option as an alternative as
ethanol by-product can be obtained from the plant’s derivatives. Brazil and China have
already introduced bio-fuel in their country and 20 % of their fuel requirement is met by the
bio-fuel. The production of Giliricedia sebium in the region is high and not being utilized
except as green manure to a certain extent. This tree can be explored for dentro- thermal
energy production. The DTE manufacturing using Giliricedia has already been started in the
Southern province with the assistance of Coconut Development Board.

2.8.3. Bio-Fuel

There are several crops which can be useful in the production of bio-fuel. Exploration of bio-
fuel production may be focused without affecting the food crop production. The demand for
bio-mass for bio-fuel will create demand for resource of the food production.
 Chapter -3

Agricultural Institutions and Support Services.

The Northern Provincial Department of Agriculture was established in December 2006

under the 13th amendment of constitution of Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, since the
demerger of the North –East provincial council on Supreme Court order was taken place.
The Provincial Department of Agriculture with already fragile situation was entrusted by the
devolution of power for Northern Regional Agriculture Development especially by crop
sector economic development through technology transfer extension service delivery
process, systems and procedures as mandate of the provincial department of agriculture
with other service support of central Department of Agriculture. The other institutions
providing support services to the farming community in line with agriculture development
are:
• Regional Agriculture Research and Development Center.
• Seed and Planting Material Production Centre
• Seed Certification Service Centre
• Department of Agrarian Development.
• Coconut Cultivation Board.
• Department of Co-operatives.
• Department of Industry
• Bank of Ceylon, Peoples’ Bank and Rural Banks.

3.1. Provincial Department of Agriculture

Under the devolution of power, agriculture extension, education and training and adaptive
research division of the central department of agriculture were devolved to the Provincial
Department of Agriculture. Provincial Director of Agriculture- a SLAgS class I officer- as
provincial head with the subordinate staff for technical and administrative management is
held responsible for entire provincial agriculture development. Provincial Department of
Agriculture has peripheral units in different administrative level for effectively having close
service delivery and the other units for different purpose. Peripheral units of extension
division serve services to the door step of the farming community with forward and
backward linkages. Thereby, bottom- up planning process is facilitated. Village – division and
district level units are established.

The District Agriculture (Extension) Office is manned by senior SLAgS officer in every district
who is held responsible, as local head of department, for carrying out agriculture extension
and development programs in the districts along with the support staff at segment/division
and village level. Assistant Director of Agriculture at divisional level is stationed at
segment/divisional office and Agricultural Instructors at village level are stationed at
peripheral Agricultural Extension Centres (AECs).

There are 83 Agriculture Extension Centres in the region to serve the farming communities
at village level. The major task of this division is to disseminate information on agriculture
production system development and on production technology to the farming community
and mobilize them in such a way to improve their farming income leading to livelihood
development.
This is done through many activities appropriate to different farming communities.
Agricultural Instructors perform the extension service delivery and programs
implementation at grass-root level, while Agriculture Officers at segment level and Subject
Matter Officers at the District level are responsible for planning, supervising and monitoring
the extension and training programs.
Issues

The Department has lost its physical assets already developed for quality service
performance and been faced many problems in the recent past due to prolonged conflict
situation. It has caused damage of office buildings and related infrastructures. The service
delivery system has not been effectively implemented with present infrastructure facilities.
Further scarcity of staff in executive and field levels, lack of mobility and cross training
knowledge sharing facilities causes a limitation in developing vibrant farming communities
toward dynamic economic activities.

Further Agriculture development is not confined to mere transfer technology for

productivity improvement but beyond this, it deals with livelihood development of agrarian
community and agriculture dependant community in the region. Therefore, institutional
restructuring and organizational strengthening are necessary for all embracing service
delivery.

3.2. Agriculture Extension service

Agriculture extension service delivery system has been institutionalized in provincial, district
division and village level and infrastructural arrangement were made for effective system
functioning. The present Institutional situation and its issues are given for planning
rehabilitation for better service.

3.2.1. District Agriculture Office

An administratively decentralized district office functions in each district for implementation

of agriculture development programs in the district along with the unit of seed farm and
training centre. A SLAgS class II officer is functioning as local head of district unit along with
other administrative and technical support staff.

Issues

Functional diversification of already rehabilitated district offices will be strengthened with

adequate staff and required facilities. Mullaitivu and Mannar district offices will be
reconstructed and facilities given. Vavuniya district office will be rehabilitated.

3.2.2. Segment Agriculture Office

Districts had been divided into 2-3 segments based on the number of agriculture instructors’
ranges for having close monitoring and supervision of program implementation and
planning of activities suitable for specific divisions. These segment offices were manned by a
SLAgS class III officer who was in charge of the segment activity implementation supported
with other 03 Agriculture Instructors stationed at segment agricultural office.

Issue
The segment offices have not been functioning owing to shortage of staff and this will be
revived with appointment of SLAgS officers and SLTS staff with material facilities.
3.2.3. Agriculture Extension Centre (AEC)

Agriculture Extension Centre had been established in each agrarian service centre area and
manned by Agricultural Instructors (AI) as operational level officers to carryout development
activities at grass root level. Each AI will cover 15 to 25 villages with 3000 to 7,000 crop
cultivation extent. Eighty three (83) such Agricultural Instructors’ centres in the region were
established. However, the coverage area of each Agricultural Instructor is high and is unable
to cover all the areas alone resulting in a poor service to very remote areas.

Issue

Area coverage by single Agriculture Instructor is more than the manageable. Operational
domain to each AI based on service requirement and potentiality be reduced and additional
Agricultural Instructors should be appointed accordingly.

3.3. Agricultural training service

Social empowerment and capacity building program in view of self reliance in agriculture
development system and professional quality improvement is part and parcel of Agriculture
extension service.

3.3.1. District Agriculture Training Centre

The District Agricultural Training Centre (DATC) had been established in each district to
promote institutional training for knowledge acquisition toward the promotion of
agriculture science knowledge based farming community development. The centre in
Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya were completely damaged by war situation in
early 1990’s and the services were paralyzed. The DATC at Vavuniya has been reconstructed
and functioning well. The rest of the training institutions except the DATC in Jaffna which is
functioning with very limited facilities, need reconstruction and rehabilitation for full
fledged training services.

Issues

The DATC of the districts, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Kilinochchi needs reconstruction and
provision of facilities for full fledged training service and DATC Jaffna needs rehabilitation
with modernized version.

3.3.2. In-service Training Institute (ISTI)

There are seven ISTIs established by the government based on agro-ecological zone of the
area in the country with the intention of coordinating training with research and extension
and promoting learning culture and professional capability. One of such ISTI was established
in the district of Kilinochchi in 1977. This was completely damaged by prolonged conflict
situation and the service of this institute has not been available for two decades in the
region.
Issues

In-service Training institute is to be rehabilitated with modern facilities for training not only
for in-service training for extension personnel but for the competency training to youth in
agriculture and provision of staff and facilities should be made.
3.4. Services of the Central Department of Agriculture (CDoA)
Agriculture development depends on the service of other established divisions of the central
Department of Agriculture not devolved into provincial system.

3.4.1. Seed and Planting Material Division

The service of this division was not devolved to the province. Seed and Planting Material
Division of the central Department of Agriculture (DOA) was functioning and held
responsible for production and supply of seed and planting material to farmers through its
seed production farms and supply net-work in the districts. Consequent to provincial council
formation, two such seed farms located in Kilinochchi and Vavuniya were handed over to
provincial administration by the CDoA for seed and planting material production and supply
to the people in the northern region but other seed production related services like seed
certification and nurserymen registration were not handed over to the provincial
department.

3.4.2. Provincial Seed production

Seed production system was well established in the region with two government seed
production farms at Kilinochchi and Vavuniya with full fledged facilities and had been
catering seed supply service to farmers not only in the northern region but in other regions
of the country. These two farms had the facilities with land and infrastructures for
production, processing, and storing of 50,000 bushels of seed paddy and OFC seeds. Five
large scale paddy processing plants were established by the Government in the country
before 1987. One such plant was located in the Kilinochchi farm. At present, seed
production facilities in Kilinochchi are completely damaged and the seed production had
collapsed. The paddy farm in Mannar district too has been defunct as the buildings and
other agricultural infrastructures are completely damaged.

The only Government Seed Production Farm (GSPF) at Vavuniya is functioning at present
with a total extent of 74 ha for production of seed paddy and OFC seeds to cater seed
supply service to entire region. The main functions of the GSPF are to produce certified
seeds of paddy, vegetables, OFC and planting materials of fruits. The farm undertakes seed
cleaning service to the farmer produced seeds. However, this farm operates with minimum
facilities and is to be strengthened for effective seed production and supply service.

Issues

Seed production farms located in Kilinochchi should be rehabilitated and facilities be given
to revive the seeds and planting material production and supply service to the entire region
and also farm in Vavuniya

3.5. Seed Certification Service (SCS)

Seed Certification Service is not devolved to provinces and comes under the administrative
purview of Director General of Agriculture of the central Department of Agriculture. The
regional SCS activities started in 1977 and its activities in the district were carried out by
Seed Certification Officers stationed in each district under the administrative purview of the
Regional Office located in Kilinochchi. This office has been temporarily shifted to Vavuniya in
1996 consequent to conflict and functioned to date with limited staff and other facilities for
service. At present, functions of this division are limited to one district by the conflict.
As a result, the affected northern farmers are still unable to obtain certified quality seeds for
cultivation. The contract growing seed production farms were abandoned due to no seed
certification service in the districts.

The main functions of the SCS are:

• Certification including registration and inspection of fields, checking purity and
labeling to confirm good quality seeds of paddy, vegetables, OFC and planting
materials of fruit crops.
• Coordination of seed testing involves sampling, testing viability and germination
level, purity and moisture determination with seed testing laboratories.
• Post control measures to check on the quality control operations and examine
possible complaints.
• Conduct training for seed growers, nurserymen and officers.
• Registration of fruit crop nurseries.

Issues

The SCS has faced many problems for the last two decades due to the conflict situation. As a
result, it has not been able to perform its function effectively. The main problems of this
sector are:

• Lack of land and office buildings

• Lack of seed testing laboratory buildings and equipment
• Lack of adequate staff
• Vacant positions have remained unfilled
• Lack of transport facilities for field level officers
• Lack of staff quarters.
• Lack of post control service

To strengthen the Seed Certification Service, establishment of Seed Testing Laboratory

facilities and improving the human resource base are necessary to render valuable services
to the seed and planting material producers of the region. This will result in increased
production and distribution of certified quality seeds to farmers, so that the crop
productivity and the income levels will be improved.

3.6. Agricultural Research

Agriculture research function, the main division for innovation of technology appropriate to
northern region, is not a devolved subject and has been administered by Central
Department of Agriculture.

The Regional Agricultural Research and Development Centre (RARDC) was established in
1977 at Kilinochchi, as one of the seven RARDCs in the country, representing the agro-
climatic condition of northern region. The service was to innovate and evaluate improved
appropriate technologies to the benefit of farming community of the Northern Region. The
RARDC is involved mainly in applied and adaptive research activities. In addition to applied
research, to a limited number of basic research investigations were also carried out in rice
research at Rice Research Station (RRS), a satellite unit of Rice Research Development
Institute, Which was established to innovate rain-fed and irrigated rice production
technologies to the rice farmers of the region.
Prior to the conflict, both research stations in the district had contributed significantly to
enhance rice productivity and farmer incomes through providing improved varieties,
appropriate crop production and crop protection technologies, and breeder/ basic seed
paddy to the rice farmers of the North. With the onset of war, the crop production in the
whole region was severely affected and the whole infrastructure and research facilities of
RARDC and RRS were completely destroyed and consequently this station was shifted
temporarily to Adaptive Research Station (ARS) in Vavuniya and the research activities are
confined only to problem -based solving research.

Issues

The research stations should be reconstructed, rehabilitated and strengthened as a modern

research station with office facilities and research personnel to reactivate the research
activities for crop improvement.

3.6.1. Adaptive Research Station (ARS)

Agricultural technology adaptation research in the District was carried out by the Adaptive
Research Stations/Units established in 1982 in all the districts in the region to verify the
adaptation of the technology found in the main research station and had multiplication
trials. This station is a satellite experimental station of the North attached to extension
division and administered by Regional Agriculture Research and Development Center.

Issues

The functions of adaptive research stations / units (ARS/ARU) were completely paralyzed
except in the Jaffna district. This system of research should be revitalized for service in all
districts.
3.7. Allied Government Organizations
There are other departments and authority board in relation to agricultural development
with the different mandate but related service. Most of such organization comes under
central government administrative purview

3.7.1. Department of Agrarian Development (DAD)

The Department of Agrarian Development (DAD) is responsible for the coordination and
supply of agricultural inputs through its peripheral Agrarian Services Centre (ASCs) located in
the district. Supply of inputs, marketing of agriculture produce, land utilization in
agriculture, operation and maintenance of minor tanks by participatory management
concept with the formation of farmer organization to respective tank are the major
objectives of the organization. Farmer Organizations (FOs) are registered under the Agrarian
Service Amendment Act (1991).
FOs is responsible for:
• Promoting co- operation and co-ordination with relevant institutions.
• Marketing of produce and distribution of inputs.
• Formulation and implementation of agriculture programs of the area.
• Village level construction, repair and maintenance of minor irrigation works.
Issues

A large number of resource-poor farmers are depending on minor tanks for cultivation.
These activities should be carried out with close participation of the stakeholders through
FOs and CBOs to ensure sustainability of those rural assets. Investment on rehabilitation on
rural agricultural infrastructures like minor tanks, agricultural roads would have the positive
impact on poverty alleviation and ensure food security in the rural households. service
delivery of the DAD is to be strengthened and well coordinated among other organization .

3.7.2. Coconut Development Board

Coconut Cultivation Board is responsible for extension, training and supply of good quality
coconut seedlings and fertilizer to promote coconut cultivation in the region through
development of small holding farms and estates. The Regional Manager administers the
development activities through Coconut Development Officers stationed in the district. The
service is limited due to lack of officers in the areas.

Issues

Entire coconut development activities should be revived with necessary facilities and
coconut seedling production units too should be rehabilitated for seedlings production and
supply.

3.7.3. Cashew Development Board

Though Cashew Corporation functioned well in the country with research and development
activities and promotional programs, cashew production and its development activities have
not materialized in the region due to prevailing situation. Cashew Corporation in
Chilawathurai in Mannar district was not functioning.

Issues

Cashew development activities in the region should be revived and cashew plantations
developed in the areas is to given due consideration and strengthen its service.

3.8. Social institutions/Organizations.

Social participation is the most important element in production and marketing system
development. Social participation before the conflict was active in the production and
technology adoption. Banana Producers’ Society and Onion Producers’ Society was some
example societies that functioned well in the region. Due to prolonged war situation,
institutionalized system for production and marketing collapsed and producers had been
scattered with frequent displacement causing the production activities becoming
unorganized and self-styled. Table shows the type of community based organization in the
region

Table 5: Type of Social institutions in the district

District FO IFS RDS WRDS CBO FPS ACS
Jaffna 225 1 171 168 - 13
Kilinochchi 106 1 91 104 - 1
Mullaitivu 127 1 90 85 - 1
Mannar 123 1 - 2
Vavuniya 177 2 28 -
3.8.1. Farmer Organizations

Farmer Organizations (FOs) were formed to promote systematic production and marketing
process. Most of the FO are not well functioning to achieve the purpose of the existence.

Issues

Social institutions should be reorganized reformed and strengthened with necessary

infrastructure and facilities for effective functioning.

3.8.2. Integrated Farmer Society

Integrated Farmer Society (IFS) organized by the department of agriculture in each district
with the intention of promoting integrated farming system among the farmers for
sustainable agriculture development.

3.8.3. Seed Producers Societies

Seed Producers societies were organized and established in each district and the society in
Jaffna and Mannar function well and other societies are defunt. Black gram seed producers
society has been established and strengthened for black gram seed production.

Issues

Local seed production will be strengthened for lateral seed supply for quality seed usage in
crop cultivation.
 Chapter - 4

Status of Crop Sector, Strategies and Projects for Development

The status of crop development of major crops of the region and strategies for development
are focused. The crop sector consists of three different categories of farmers namely
commercial scale producers (10%), average scale producers (60%) and subsistent level
producers (30%). Multidisciplinary crops are cultivated for market demand in the region.
Major crops in the region are the paddy as staple cereal crop and maize and kurrakkan as
cereal coarse grain, green gram, black gram and cowpea as pulse crops for vegetable protein
consumption, Chili and red onion as condiment crops, ground nut and Sesame as oil crops,
Cassava and other yams are root crops, potato as cash tuber crop and banana, mango, jack,
lime and grape vine as major horticultural fruits crops with varieties of low country and up
country vegetable cultivation.

4.1 Cereal Sub Sector Development

Food and nutrition security are two important considerations in the development of healthy
population and poverty alleviation. Out of the crop categories, cereals contribute to the
consumption of carbohydrate as energy source; 70-75% of the energy is derived from
carbohydrate. Most important cereals being cultivated are rice, kurrakan and maize in
Northern Province. Rice is the staple food crop and accounting for total population of the
region. Annual per capita requirement of rice is about 106 kg/year according to Medical
Research Institute (MRI). In this view Northern region needs 0.5 million metric ton of rice
per annum. The requirement is produced in the region.

4.1.1 Paddy Sub Sector

Among the cereal, paddy is a major subsector in the
country and the region as well. Annually 800,000 ha of
paddy land are cultivated in the island of which 80,000 ha
have been cultivated in the Northern region. About 45% of
paddy land comes under irrigated condition and rain-fed
land is the rest. The extent and the production have not
shown a steady increase or constant over the past two
decades due to unfavorable socio-economic and political
environment.

Nevertheless, the present cumulative annual extent cultivated for paddy production on an
average over the past 10 years was 60,000 Ha in both wet and dry seasons.

Paddy Cultivation

Paddy cultivation takes place in two seasons – rain-fed wet season (October- February) and
irrigated dry season. During wet season, most of the paddy tract is used to be sown in dry or
semi dry condition. The paddy cultivation tract having irrigation facilities from the irrigation
schemes, gets success with supplementary irrigation if rain fall will be inadequate and the
absolute rain-fed cultivation tract suffers when rainfall fails. This resulted in variation in the
production level.
The cultivation extent under irrigation in dry season is
decided upon availability of water in the irrigation
schemes. Intensive technical applications for better
production has been experienced in dry season cultivation,
thus, higher average yield during dry season than the wet
season. The estimated average yield in wet season and dry
season is 4.5 mt/ha and 3 mt/ha respectively.

Figure-1 shows the trend in paddy production during the

last twenty years period. The highest extent ever cultivated
was 80500 ha. In the past, the unsettled condition that
prevailed due to protracted war had badly affected paddy
production. Nevertheless, cultivators under crisis management have sustained the rice
production at low level with limited resources and technology application.

Table- 6 : Northern province paddy cultivated extent and production 1985 - 2007
District Season 1985 1986-1990 1991-1995 1996-2000 2001-2005 2006-2007
Cultivated Maha 65629 54758.65 47124.2 39549.8 54668.2 50204.75
Extent(ha) Yala 5994 3796.6 7112.6 6619.2 8658.46 7466
Total 71623 58555.25 54236.8 46169 63326.66 57670.75
Production(mt) Maha 162350.5 133042.846 109792 87540.506 145303.09 146480.29
Yala 15537.9 11256.952 17153.46 19835.2 32807.112 26877.68
Total 177888.4 144299.798 126945.46 107375.706 178110.202 173357.97

Figure 2: Extent and production of paddy in the district.

4.1.1a. Potential for Paddy Development

Developed paddy land extent available for paddy cultivation in the region was estimated as
nearly as 100,000 ha of which about 45000 ha of land comes under irrigation schemes. Land
under schemes has not been fully utilized for cultivation due to poor irrigation facilities.
Hence, Rehabilitation of dilapidated schemes and irrigation infrastructure in modernized
form will facilitate effective water management and further land development for fully land
utilization with crop cultivation. Adoption of technology can boost the yield potential up to
8 mt per ha. However, the highest yield achievement at present was 6mt/ha while 4mt/ha
has been the average in the region. Paddy production potential in the region is about
0.8million mt

Table- 7: Paddy extent cultivable in the region (ha)

District Aswedumized Highest Extent Potential Area in Percentage
Extent cultivated High Low
Jaffna 13131 8845 90 10
Kilinochchi 25372 22663 80 20
Mullaitivu 17650 13055 70 30
Vavuniya 21010 19000 85 15
Mannar 23080 16970 60 40
Total 100243 80533

Table-8: Paddy land extent (ha) under different water sources in the region
District Major & Medium Minor Rain-fed
Jaffna - - 13130
Kilinochchi 11925 667 12790
Mullaitivu 5848 4129 6650
Vavuniya 5579 3164 4628
Mannar 14822 10900 4109
Total 38174 18860 41308

Weakness in current production system and strategy for improvement

• Irrational land use:

• No effective water management as most of the irrigation infrastructure of both
downstream and up streams is either in a damaged or dilapidated condition.
• Prevalence of scattered cultivation due to poor socio economic condition and
shortage of labour.
• No competitive production and organized marketing
• Unavailability of efficient marketing net work system
• Low popularity of rice based product
• Inadequate storage facilities and application of poor processing and milling
technology
• Poor input accessibility and affordability:
• Poor and in effective supply of quality seed as and when it is needed.
• Lack of technology know how in the rural society.

4.1.2 Development Strategies

Paddy land development and value addition of rice and Technology adoption for
productivity enhancement are the major strategies for increased paddy production.
Strategies that can be adopted to promote the rice production in the region are described
below. However, Adoption of the strategies described depends on many factors therefore
the factor influencing the paddy production development have to be given due
consideration.
Objectives

The major objectives of paddy sector development are given below:

• Reduce wheat flour consumption

• Improve grain and milling quality of rice
• Emphasize and promote value addition
• Sustainable productivity management of land and water resources
• Sustain rice industry as a profitable enterprise

Strategies

I. Potential paddy land development & Mapping of potential yield areas

Paddy land can be characterized based on the yield potential of land. Spatial and temporal
variations in grain yield realized in farmers’ field across diverse environment stress the
variation in varietal reaction. Varying climatic, edaphic and biotic factors is the reason for
low yield and poor stability. Thus identification of different rice growing environments with
their associated adverse environment factors on the rice yield is important for rice yield
mapping and its yield promotion. It is a pre – requisite to go for crop diversification in paddy
tract as the production of rice in high potential area determines the required supply of rice
to the region. Identification of high potential paddy areas under irrigation schemes by crop
yielding evaluation study.

Project title

Paddy yield evaluation study for Schematic mapping of different potential areas of paddy
tract

Objectives

• To improve the productivity of paddy land.

• To identify land and develop for crop cultivation
• To identify the production potential in different paddy tract.
• To promote application of organic manure in specific areas.
• To identify potential extent for crop diversification.
• To evaluate rice production potential in the region.

II. Productivity Enhancement Program

Project Strategy

• Productivity improvement activities consist of land preparation up to harvesting.

Paddy sector has been already developed and achieved average yield to the national
average. The major problem in improving rice production is to facilitate marketing
which will automatically motivate farmers to go for adoption of productivity
enhancement technologies. Group action in block demonstration to see the effective
of technology thus improve the productivity
Project title

Formation of crop producer cooperative society

Objectives

• To improve productivity
• To organize marketing through farmer producers’ societies.
• To promote collective decision and action.
• To reduce value chain in marketing.
• To promote IPM and IPNS technology adoption in paddy cultivation

III. Organic Rice Farming development

Project Strategy

World population is inclined to consider quality of food that is consumed and its effect on
health resulting in to go in search of organically produced food. Organic farming is
advocated to safe guard the agro-eco-system. The use of quality compost, bio fertilizer,
green manure and green leaf manure and application of enriched farm yard manure are the
methods of organic farming to be popularized to ensure economic and integrated plant
nutrition management in crop production. Certification standard of organic product will be
developed by the Department for national competitive market.

Since demand is driven to old varieties like Pachchaiperumal, Henati for those nutritive
quality and these varieties are fertilizer non – responsive, Organic rice farming with these
traditional rice varieties can be promoted in an organized manner to capture the demand
for organic rice in niche market. Further, low potential area may be considered for organic
rice farming promotion in future.

Project Title

Implementation of Organic rice farming demonstration and development program

Objectives

• To establish demonstration on organic farming.

• To produce quality organic rice for niche market.
• To enter into world organic market.
• To supply toxic free organic product
• To minimize environmental pollution by agronomic practices

Crop Yield Competition

Creation of a healthy competitive spirit among the farmers and develop motivation for
technical applications is essential for increasing the productivity of crop by adopting the
advanced scientific techniques. Crop yield competition program will facilitate to achieve the
productivity improvement.
Project title

Motivation program for appropriate technology adoption

Objectives

• To promote competitive attitude in production.

• To Implement farmer competition and award program
• To encourage application of technologies in production.
• To encourage participation in extension.

Production of Rice Bran Oil

Project Strategy

Production of rice bran oil can be exploited by the private entrepreneurs. Policy frame to
facilitate environment for investment decision in this direction is to be developed. It is the
responsibility of the state to analyze potential with the help of National Engineering
Research and Development and Public Enterprise Reform Committee and take action to
initiate investment.

Project title: Rice bran oil production

Objectives

• To utilize rice by-product in an effective way.

• To introduce rice bran oil usage in development sector
• To minimize the use of unhealthy oil

Mechanization in Rice Farming

Project Strategy

Labour shortage and high wage rate can be complemented by mechanized practice in rice
farming. The problem of scattered cultivation and its related pest dynamism could be
effectively minimized by mechanization. Mechanization also is instrumental to reduce the
cost of cultivation. Most of the farmers were economically affected by prolonged war. A soft
loan system will be facilitated to purchase machinery. A well formed society could be given
credit to purchase machinery like 2-wheel, 4-wheel, Reaper/Harvestor and Combine
Harvester etc for adoption of custom hiring system.

Project title: Farm mechanization.

Objectives

• To promote farm mechanized practices.

• To make uniformity in cultivation practices.
• To decrease cost of cultivation.
• To minimize pest population.
4.1.3. Post-Harvest Technology in Paddy

Post-production sector in relation to value addition of rice is in very infantry level in the
region. Promotion of value addition of rice will pave way for paddy yield increase and
entrepreneurs’ income. Paddy processing in the region is considered as ineffective and
inefficient as most of the paddy processing mills are very small and fulfill only the domestic
needs with crude processing methods. Raw rice is consumed by the people as cooked rice,
steamed rice and pre-gelatinized milled rice. Rice flour is used in some food industries for
the production of noodles, instant hoppers and string hoppers etc. But the value addition to
rice flour in our region is at very minimal level. Hypoallergenic property of rice is more
suitable for infant food. Several technologies have been developed to manufacture instant
starch which can be used for several industrial products like carbonless copy paper and filter
paper production and to other various starch derivatives. Rice starch can be produced from
broken rice during milling. When compared to the price of wheat flour, it is economically
feasible to go for many applications by using rice starch. However, the reduction of protein
and lipids in the rice starch is to be considered for quality products.

Establishment of Standard Rice Mill

Present method of processing of paddy after harvest is seen as dried, threshed, winnowed
and packed in field with either gunny bag or polyethylene bag to transport to home storage
which is not sophisticated one for effective storage. Later paddy is milled for raw rice by the
milling machines which are varied in types and operation technology. Hence quality of
milled rice depends on type of machine and its operation. Even though the variety of paddy
influences the quality of milled rice, type of machine contributes much on quality raw rice
production. Percentage of polishing and breaking of rice are the parameters contributing to
the quality of milled rice. The existing milling enterprises are not quite suitable for quality
rice production. Although there is a demand for high quality premium rice, the region is not
in a position to produce such rice due to the poor quality of rice mills available.

Further, paddy is parboiled and milled for rice which is used by people for cooking purpose.
There is technology in the process of parboiling and milling which influence the quality of
parboiled rice. Parboiling temperature and method of drying determine the quality of
parboiled rice. Therefore, the quality of rice is determined by many factors. Establishment of
state of the art standard rice mill for quality premium rice production is necessary to a
competitive market.

Objectives:

• To promote quality rice production.

• To reduce damage in rice milling.
• To minimize the loss of nutrient.
• To develop the rice quality standard.
• To market quality rice

Project title:

Establishment of standard rice processing mill in the region

Quality Domestic Rice Production

Project Strategy

Quality Improvement in domestic rice production: Paddy is parboiled and hand pounded for
milling of rice in household level. In households processing of rice, use of technology for
quality rice production was not adopted and many farmers do not know the technology
involved in parboiling. They are used to parboil paddy with their own method resulting in
the loss of quality and nutrition. To improve quality of parboiling, National Engineering
Research and Development has manufactured a drum for parboiling in the household. This
is a break through for domestic quality rice production promotion.

Project Title:

Domestic parboiling improvement development

Objectives

• To improve quality of rice production in homestead

• Introduce and supply of parboiling drum to individual household
• To reduce nutrition loss during processing of rice milling
• To produce quality hand pound rice in the villages.
• To promote competitiveness in supplying quality rice to market.

Value Addition of Paddy

Project Strategy

Rice based agro-industrial activities in the region are not much popularized. Value added
rice product will not only solve the paddy marketing problem but encourage people to eat
value added product rather than go for fast food. Production of rice flour and based product
could be an attractive venture for private investment. Commercial productions of rice flour
for local and export market will absorb certain percentage of local paddy for value addition
as well as provide employment to youth. Since over 60% of the district population is directly
involved in paddy production, establishing rice- based agro- industries would provide
employment and enhance household income, which can address rural poverty to a great
extent. Formation of small group and supply mini rice flour mill for production of rice flour
in cottage level and promotion of rice flour based product will be the focal point in this
project.

Project Title:

Cottage level rice flour making and flour based value addition enterprise development.

Objectives

• To promote rice flour production and its usage.

• To promote quality of rice flour making.
• To develop competitive culture among producers.
• To promote rice based value added product in the market.
• To promote nutritive food intake and reduce fast food intake
Value Addition Technology Demonstrations

Project Strategy

Promotion of rice based product and by-product will be encouraged among the community
by training and demonstration. Value addition of raw rice as rice flake, rice puff, and rice
flour, production of rice bran oil and use of paddy husk as fossil fuel can pave way for
increase paddy production.

Project Title : Capacity building on Value addition technology development

Objectives

• To promote value added rice based product

• To implement demonstrations program
• To promote cottage industry.
• To promote marketing of rice based product.
• To enhance technical know-how.
• To motivate enterprise development

Sustainable Soil fertility management

Project strategy

Fertilizer application in Paddy cultivation is continuous and indiscriminate leading to

environmental pollution and loss of physical and chemical properties of the soil and soil
productivity. This leads to soil degradation in long term eventually become barren. To
sustain the soil fertility in long term, application of organic matter in the form of farm yard
manure, well rotted cattle manure, compost as soil ameliorate is necessary. The best easiest
option is to cultivate sun hemp in the field and incorporate into soil when sun hemp crop is
in 50- 60 % matured stage. This bio mass in the field will supply the necessary nutrient
during the course of natural decaying. One acre of field will give 3.2 mt of bio mass to the
field

Project Title:

Soil fertility improvement and conservation

Objectives

• To ameliorate the soil

• Cultivation of Sun hemp in the paddy field after harvest of paddy
• To increase the soil Organic matter
• To sustain the soil fertility
• To increase plant nutrient uptake efficiency
• To reduce the application of inorganic fertilizer
4.2. Subsidiary Food Crop Sector
The region has responded to the demand created by the “ inward looking import
substitution “ policies of the government in late sixties and seventies through cultivation of
subsidiary food crops on commercial basis. During this period, a large number of agro–wells
and tube wells were constructed. Lift irrigation system was popularized not only to pump
underground water but also water from irrigation tanks. The peasant subsistence farming
community became profit oriented commercial farmers. The educated youth have
recognized farming as a gainful employment venture.
The situation has changed since mid eighties with the escalation of ethnic violence and the
unrestricted imports of those items under liberalized trade regime, the entire farmers of the
Northern Province have lost their competitive edge in the market for those crops. After the
signing of peace agreement in February-2002, the displaced farm families have returned to
their villages and recommenced cultivation.

However, Subsidiary Food Crops (SFC)cultivation in Northern region in the present context is
well characterized as small scale and subsistence level cultivation with low value rain-fed
high land with minimum tillage, inputs and management as permitted by the soil condition.
Consequent to the poor resource and technology used for SFCs production, yields obtained
are very low. Though chilli, red onion and potato are cultivated for commercial orientation
as cash crop, the extent has been reduced to local market level due to prevailing market
situation. Due consideration is necessary to be given in reduction of unit cost of production
for national competitive market. Local government needs to extend its arm for proper
market infrastructure arrangement to market the product.

Potential for Promotion

It is observed that soil type of paddy tract in the irrigated command area of the irrigation
scheme are not uniform in texture and physical and chemical properties resulting in a
variation in yield potential in paddy area. Some of the paddy tract is not economical for
paddy cultivation as its yield potential cannot be increased beyond certain limit. There are
nearly 20,000 ha of such low potential areas available in the region. This extent can be
explored for crop diversification, if paddy production continuously becomes uneconomic as
at present. Hence, huge potential for promotion of subsidiary food crops is seen in the
region. It is estimated that about 50,000 ha of arable high land available for promotion of
SFC crops in near future provided rehabilitation of the land covered with shrub jungle and
the land under irrigation schemes. Lands under minor irrigation schemes are yet to be
rehabilitated

Storage

Storage is a major problem for farmers to promote the cultivation. The potential perishable
vegetables production is restricted by poor storage facilities in the local condition. Grain
productions are subject to be sold at the farm gate with minimal price due to lack of storage
facilities in the glut production season. Hence Promotion of coarse grains production is very
much restricted and is possible if due consideration is given to local storage facilities and
promotion of value addition.
Weakness in Subsidiary Food Production System in the region

• Inadequate availability of new high yielding varieties

• Inadequate knowledge on new technologies at village level
• Low productivity due to rain-fed cultivation.
• Irrational land use and crop management
• High incidence of pests and diseases
• Lack of technology adoption
• Inadequate availability of quality seed and required varieties
• Lack of regularized local and institutional seed production and input supply
mechanism at village level
• Lack of farmer group activities
• lack of private investment in processing and agro – based industries
• No promotional activities implemented by the policy regulation.
• No regulatory market arrangement for raw and value added product.

Objectives

Major objectives of this crop development are:

• Increase production of selected crops through the development and introduction of

new technologies to meet the regional requirement and to national market.
• Improve productivity, marketing and processing of selected OFCs through farmer
cluster extension programs.
• Ensure adequate supply of quality seed at village level.
• Increase farm income of OFC producers.
• Encourage private investment in value addition product preparation.

Elements for improving production

• Use of appropriate variety
• Application of appropriate technology
• Use of appropriate culture
• Promotion of value addition of crop produces in cottage level.

4.2.1. Coarse Food Grains

Major coarse grain crops
are kurrakkan and maize as
cereal crops and black
gram, green gram and
cowpea as leguminous
crops which contribute to
vegetable protein required
to the population.

The OFC crops cultivation in the region is mainly focus to supply the local requirement and
to capture the opportunity of the national market.
Tables 9-11 and Figure 2-4 show the trend of pulse crop cultivation and production as in 05
year average. The maize is cultivated in a pastoral system during rainy season for human
consumption and the kurakkan is cultivated in small scale for traditional domestic
consumption. As these two crops have no persistent commercial market demand in the
region, cultivation extents are limited. However, the maize production gains market in line
with provender industry promotion.

Though chick pea and pigeon pea cultivation were proved successful in the region, due to
poor post-production sector development and poor post harvest technology, these crops
cultivation was not highly taken up. Cultivation of soya been was constrained due to lack of
seed supply and its dependency on bacterial inoculums for better production. However this
crop can be developed when there is market demand for food industry.

Table –9 : Green gram- 5 year average cultivated extent and production, 1985 - 2007
Discription Season 1985 1986-1990 1991-1995 1996-2000 2001-2005 2006-2007
Cultivated Maha 635 593.8 593.34 804.02 796.7 1093.25
Extent(ha)
Yala 266 289.2 192.6 155.55 275.93 346.075
Total 901 883 785.94 959.57 1072.63 1439.325
Production(mt) Maha 505 489.8 570.8 501.76 616.5874 1034.45
Yala 211.1 290 134.1 127.85 243.186 410.355
Total 716.1 779.8 704.9 629.61 859.7734 1444.805

Figure 3: Green gram 5 year average cultivation extent and production

Table-10: Black gram 5 year average cultivation extent and production, 1985 - 2007
Description Season 1985 1986-1990 1991-1995 1996-2000 2001-2005 2006-2007
Cultivated Maha 7539 5937.4 5062.8 4303.84 4107.96 4309.775
Extent(ha) Yala 26.4 28.6 11.3 4.2 22.58
Total 7539 5963.8 5091.4 4315.14 4112.16 4332.355
Production(mt) Maha 5892.5 4917.6 3706.26 2319.22 3224.72 3296.6
Yala 26.2 22.2 7.96 5.32 19.61
Total 5892.5 4943.8 3728.46 2327.18 3230.04 3316.21

Figure 4: Black gram 5 year average cultivated extent and production.

Table-11: Cowpea 5 year average cultivation extent and production- 1985 - 2007
Description Season 1985 1986-1990 1991-1995 1996-2000 2001-2005 2006-2007
Cultivated Maha 976 1026.6 1210.6 1056.1 1023.0 1068.8
Extent(ha) Yala 132 135.0 188.4 161.2 244.6 303.4
Total 1108 1161.6 1399.0 1217.2 1267.6 1372.2
Production(mt) Maha 820.1 891.8 881.8 590.7 1046.5 1270.4
Yala 118.1 127.9 143.4 197.9 241.1 275.7
Total 938.2 1019.7 996.5 788.5 1287.6 1546.1

Figure 5: Cowpea 5 year average cultivation extent and production

4.2.2 Development Strategies -Food Grain

The present day cultivation is traditional bound and mostly rain-fed condition except the
sporadic irrigated cultivation with minimal application of productivity enhancement
technology. Hence, development strategy of the food grain will be based on productivity
enhancement and value addition programs.
Crop Productivity Enhancement
Strategy:

Crop production system adopted by the farmers at present in the region is mostly in the
circle of traditional application practices. Though the farmer’s knowledge on economic
cultivation of OFC has been considered sound, It should be further improved with training
on diversified alternative technology program and market technology. The formation of
commodity based production societies for effective marketing will be encouraged.

Project Title: Capacity building on them ways of productivity improvement

Objectives

• To promote group action in production and marketing.

• To promote application of technologies suitable to the location.
• To enhance skill and knowledge in production technologies.
• To increase food grain production in the region

Expansion of Pulse Cultivation

Project Strategy

Inter cropping with medium scale coconut and banana cultivation will increase the
production of pulse in the region and it is possible. About 8000 ha of coconut plantation
and 2000ha of banana plantation land could be put into cultivation of pulse crops during
rainy season.

Project: Promotion of pulses under plantation crop land

Objectives
• To cultivate leguminous crops under estate land.
• To promote fertility of the land by incorporating crop residues in the land.
• To increase plantation crop production
• To promote leguminous grain production in the region

Crop Diversification under Minor irrigation schemes

Project Strategy:
Most of the soil types under the command area of minor tanks are suitable for subsidiary
food crop cultivation and economically viable than paddy cultivation. As these tanks are
located in remote rural areas, people living in these areas go for paddy cultivation under
tank for sustaining food security of the family. This land can be utilized for OFC cultivation
instead of paddy if rice is made available to those living in the area at affordable price with a
marketing network arrangement. Introduction of subsidy scheme for those who cultivate
OFCs in paddy tract with market assurance under a guaranteed price system will help
increase the income.
Project Title: Crop diversification under minor tanks

Objectives

• To produce other field crops in paddy tract under minor irrigation scheme.
• To promote efficient use of land and water in cultivation.
• To encourage crop diversification for economy of scale.

Crop Diversification in Paddy Field

Project strategy:

Low potential area for paddy cultivation can be utilized for other food crops cultivation.
Chilli, red onion and even potato can be cultivated in low potential area with application of
soil ameliorant.

Project Title: Crop diversification in uneconomic paddy field

Objectives:

• To promote demand -pull crop in suitable paddy tract.

• To use residual moisture in the land for crop cultivation

Maize Expansion Program

Project Strategy:

Maize presents a duality. It is cultivated for direct human consumption as green cop and as
industrial crop for provender industry. Nearly 20% of the production goes to local poultry
feed industry. The need for maize to the production of poultry mash is not fully satisfied by
the production and its demand as raw material for the feed industry is expanding rapidly
matching the pace of livestock industry. Thus, there is high potential for maize for
provender industry. About 80% of the maize is imported annually for industrial sector. The
present maize production is 10 % of the country’s demand. To cater the need of local
demand for maize for local manufacturing of poultry mash, maize cultivation is to be
expanded in areas possible with diminishing per unit cost of production. The well drained
paddy soil is suitable for maize cultivation.

Project Title: Expansion of maize cultivation

Objectives

• To produce maize for local poultry mash production

• To integrate livestock with crop production.
• To enhance production of maize.
• To utilized possible piece of land in the home stead for maize cultivation
Specialized Crop Zoning

Project Strategy

Crop productivity varies with soil variability and degree of intensity. Some crops thrive well
with moderate practices in the areas where other crops need high capital and intensive
management. Identification of such economically sound crop production areas and mapping
this area is necessary for crop zoning strategy. Marketing and transport facilities to other
market places will be strengthened. Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu districts have
already been mapped for green gram, black gram and ground nut production respectively.
The local authority can coordinate transport facilities to supply crop produces to other areas
with the support of local government.

Project Title: Identification and mapping of the area for crop zone

Objectives

• To cultivate economically viable and sound crops in the areas identified based on the
suitability mapping.
• To specialize the area for specific crop production zone.
• To regularize market linkages.
• To promote economic utilization of resource

Value Addition of Other Field Crop Produces

Strategy

Distress sale during seasonal glut of other food grain is the major problem in marketing of
food grains as it is extensively cultivated during rainy season. Food grains are potential stuff
to be used to prepare value added food product. Consumption of value added product of
the food grains promotes good health and reduce malnutrition, stunting and wasting of
children. Training and demonstration will be conducted to house hold women to make
aware of value addition technology to promote homemade preparation of value added
product.
Project Title: Capacity building Training and demonstration on value addition technology

Objectives:
• To promote value added product preparation from the crop produces
• To change food consumption pattern with agro -based value added product.
• To increase the keeping quality of the crop product
• To promote healthy society
Establishment of Community Storage

Project Strategy

Provision of common storage facilities by state for collective storing of product in specified
locations will facilitate farmers to store their produce during glut and sell when better price
offer comes. The management arrangement can be made collectively by producers.
Incentive provision can also be facilitated by the state to improve this system of storing. This
will be facilitated in each DS division
Project Title:

Establishment of community storage/ provision of storage facilities for community

Objectives:

• To facilitate storing of food grain during glut production.

• To avoid distress sale of crop product at the price lower than the cost
• To promote pledge loan mechanism among the producers
• To promote community responsibility and community ownership

Market Facilities with Pledge Market System

Project Strategy

Pledge marketing arrangement shall be made to purchase crop produces by an organization

on payment of 50% of the total value at the time of harvest and the rest will be paid to the
farmer after the stocks are sold. This mechanism can be either introduced and operated by
Agrarian Development Department with strengthening in both institutional and financial
arrangement for purchasing and storing the grains or can also be facilitated with community
driven system by strengthening farmer cooperatives and market committee for such
activities. The shouldering this mechanism by market committee is successfully adopted in
India by Agriculture Marketing Department.

Project :

Organization and Provision of facilities for purchase and storage by the community based
cooperative /farmers’ society/organizations.

Objectives:

• To motivate producers for better production with market assurance of production

• To regularize the marketing
• To increase profit margin.
• To reduce value chain in marketing
• To make instant income of 50 % of the production to farmers

4.3. Yams and Tuber crops Development

Yams are considered as poor man’s diet for food security.

Cassava, sweet potato and King yam are cultivated as
backyard crop in every homestead. Since yams are long
aged crops and need irrigation for longer period for fruitful
harvest, yam cultivation in large scale does not exist but
are, in small scale, cultivated for market purpose in
homesteads.
For homestead food security, yams can be cultivated in very small scale with kitchen waste
water. Sweet potato is cultivated under rain-fed condition in suitable land and marketed.
Only cassava is cultivated as continuous commercial crop in the region. The price of cassava
is very much low enabling all people to buy for requirement of carbohydrate consumption.
With the Development of cottage level fried chip production for income generation by the
farm women, Cassava /manioc has now become potential crop for enterprise development
resulting an increase of cassava production in the region. Sale of value added cassava as
fried chip has become a profitable enterprise in the street market. Cassava and sweet
potato are important crops for exploring bio- fuel production in industrial sector too.
Exploration of value addition of yams will entail the industrial promotion.
Potato is cultivated as high value cash crop during the rainy season mainly in Jaffna and in
small scale in other districts. Potato cultivation will be promoted to meet the requirement of
the region population with reduced cost of production.
Table-12 and Figure-5 show five year average cassava cultivation in the region

Table-12 :- Manioc cultivated extent and production -1996 - 2007

District Year 1996-2000 2001-2005 2006-2007
Cultivated Extent(ha) Maha 944.1 1240.3 1282.75
Yala 550.2 689.18 564
Total 1494.3 1929.5 1846.8
Production(mt) Maha 15043.6 24597.2 26144.5
Yala 9884.2 14356.4 12097.5
Total 24927.8 38953.6 38242.0

Figure 6: Manioc cultivated extent and production in Northern Province.

4.3.1 Development Strategy for yam and tuber crops

Major objectives for yam and tuber crop development are:

• To increase yields, improve quality, and minimize post -harvest losses.

• To maintain household food security
• To ensure adequate supply of seed and planting materials of improved varieties.
• To promote value addition through year – round production and processing
• To increase marketing efficiency and export share.
Yams cultivation as backyard crop in the homestead
Project Strategy

Yam cultivation in every homestead sustains household food security due to its high content
of carbohydrate which gives energy for human activities. Yam crops such as cassava, sweet
potato, king yam, elephant food yam and diascorea etc. will be encouraged to be cultivated
in every homestead of vulnerable and less privileged group.

Project Title: Expansion of yam cultivation in the home stead

Objectives:

• To maintain household food security in rural areas,

• To be as a way for additional income to household
• To facilitate marketing of value added product
• To create opportunity for employment

Yam seed material production

Project Strategy

Promotion of yam cultivation, except cassava, is constrained by non availability of planting

materials. The traditional farmers keep their planting material for their own cultivation.
Production of planting material to supply for homestead and commercial yam cultivation
will be facilitated to promote the yam cultivation in the region.

Project : Production of yam planting materials

Objectives
• To promote yam cultivation
• To facilitate accessibility to seed materials
• To make additional income by sale of planting material
• To maintain food security of the vulnerable group

Value addition of yam

Project Strategy

As keeping quality of yam is fairly long in normal condition, industrial exploration in

converting yam into preferable value added product can contribute to extension of yam
cultivation in rural areas. Flour making, fried cassava and potato chip production are
explored in cottage and industrial levels. Dissemination of technology knowhow, provision
of equipment and machineries will give rise to the occasion to cottage industry promotion.
Potential for yam cultivation under irrigation schemes exists for expansion of yam
cultivation when private sector investment in yam based product industry increase.
Provision of assistance for promotion of value added product preparation at cottage
industrial level is to be facilitated.
Project Title : Yam value added product enterprise development
Objectives

• To promote cottage industries for yam based value added products

• To promote consumption of yam based product.
• To develop homemade product as evening snacks.
• To promote technical knowhow among vulnerable
4.3.2. Potato
Potential for promotion of potato cultivation is not limited. This crop is cultivated in during
wet season in the region. Farmers obtain the yield of 1:10 fold in the field but it can go upto
15 fold with good management. This crop is considered as high income cash crop by the
farmers. Farmers prefer to cultivate imported seed to avoid disease incidence. Accessibility
for seed potato will be facilitated to farmers through agrarian service department.
Project:
Promotion of off season potato cultivation under net house
Objectives:
• To increase the potato production during off season
• To facilitate for net house erection
4.4. Oil crops
Sesame (gingely) and Groundnut are cultivated as oil crops
in the region. Though these two crops are cultivated in all
districts in the region, Jaffna and Kilinochchi are prominent
for sesame production and Mullaitivu is prominent for
ground nut cultivation. Mullaitivu area has good potential
for expansion of ground nut crop cultivation as well
drained soil tract extensively available in the district.
Farmers in this area used to cultivate ground nut in large scale during rainy season. Further
caster oil production feasibility is to be evaluated in terms of market and economic
production for its development in the region.

Sesame is generally cultivated with residual moisture in the paddy land after harvest of
paddy in the month of February in Jaffna and Kilinochchi district. In some location, high land
cultivation takes place at the end of rainy season with night snow fall. High fatty acid
content of this crop product paves way for oil extraction enterprise in household level. Fatty
acid of the crops product is edible and has high digestible cholesterol (HDL)/ Lipids. White
and black seed varieties are available for different purposes of cultivation. For ground nut,
many varieties were developed and released by the research for crop production
improvement of which Tissa and Indhi are leading in the region. The variety “Walawa” is a
confectionary type which can be used for confectionary industry. This crop product has
potential platters for industrial sector in oil extraction and confectionary production. Many
cottage level industries have been evolved in value addition of sesame and groundnut crop
products in the Southern region. Gingerly oil extraction practices using “ Chekku” is popular
in Jaffna, Vavuniya and Kilinochchi districts, About 500 Gingelly oil extraction units were
developed in the region. But, the production is not enough to supply the requirement.
Groundnut cultivation

Groundnut is cultivated in both rain-fed and irrigated conditions. The crop management is
very poor due to limited market and the demand is available only for raw nut which is used
for fried or boiled consumption. Though oil production is very much feasible, investment
environment in this direction is not encouraged. Table- 13 and Figure 6 show the groundnut
cultivation trend on average of five year period
Sesame

Sesame is generally cultivated in paddy land after harvest of paddy in the month of February
without much consideration on adoption of technologies. Due to its harvesting and
processing difficulties, particular segment of people undertakes this cultivation. Ample
potential is ahead to promote sesame cultivation in the region. Table- 14 show the sesame
cultivation trend on average of five year period

Table-13: Groundnut cultivated extent and production 1985 - 2007

District Season 1985 1986-1990 1991-1995 1996-2000 2001-2005 2006-2007
Cultivated Maha 217 970.8 2209.4 2516.02 1949.25 2300.14
Extent(ha) Yala 97 312 531.6 619.74 713.96 819.275
Total 314 1282.8 2741 3135.76 2663.21 3119.415
Production(mt) Maha 226.2 927.6 1990.2 1926.2 2771.116 3390.875
Yala 98.3 447.2 248 712.5 1217.76 1392.785
Total 324.5 1374.8 2238.2 2638.7 3988.876 4783.66

Figure 7: Groundnut cultivated extent and production in Northern Province

Table- 14: Sesame cultivated extent and production 1985 - 2007

District Season 1985 1986-1990 1991-1995 1996-2000 2001-2005 2006-2007
Cultivated Maha 537.6 621.4 331 716.5 661.45 734.375
Extent(ha) Yala 11 96.3 111.3 152.8 38.84 58.475
Total 548.6 717.7 442.3 869.3 700.29 792.85
Production(mt) Maha 328.56 403.8 330.44 309.76 366.935 376.3
Yala 3 67 62.24 67.94 22.64 35.425
Total 331.56 470.8 392.68 377.7 389.575 411.725
Weakness in production system:

• No seed supply mechanism and use of old varieties,

• Lack of investment in value added product preparation.
• Poor crop management and traditional way of cultivation.
• No market network.

4.4.1. Development strategy for oil crops

Crop Productivity Enhancement

Project Strategy

The major problem of production increase is poor crop management in both cultivation
system of ground nut and sesame. Improved agronomic practices and technology adoption
in cultivation practices will be enhanced for better production. Application of fertilizer,
gypsum and proper water management are important features for improvement.

Project Title : Development of Improved Crop production management practices

Objectives

• To enhance production and productivity.

• To increase income per unit area of land.
• To meet the demand with available land and cultivation
• To improve knowledge and skill in production system

Value Addition of Crop Produces

Project Strategy

Development of cottage industry in value addition of crop product is very much feasible.
Vulnerable and disadvantaged groups can be engaged in value addition process handling
with less exertion. Variety “Walawa” can be used for peanut production due to its nut size.
Like the Jumbo pea nut production industry developed in the South or produced on sale
contact arrangement. Promotion of these crops will be encouraged through value addition
and technical capacity building. Mechanical devices are available in the market for easy
product processing.

Project Title: Capacity building Training and demonstration on value addition technology

Objectives

• To promote knowledge on value addition technology.

• To promote availability of value added product in the market.
• To facilitate engagement of vulnerable group in value added product preparation.
• To absorb more labour force into agriculture.
• To increase number of entrepreneurs.
Seed Production Program

Project Strategy

Promotion of local supply of seeds by the farmers facilitating contract seed grower
mechanism for local seed production and supply will be the strategy. This will improve the
use of good quality and preferable seeds in cultivation.

Project Title: Development Ground nut and Sesame seed production and supply system

Objectives

• To promote the use of quality seed in production.

• To develop seed production units and supply system in each district.
• To maintain the varietal purity of seeds
• To increase the production with uniform varietal adoption

Production of castor oil

Strategy : Castor oil production

Cultivation potential and Castor oil production should be investigated and explored as there
is potential for this crop cultivation. Identification of land and production feasibility will be
studied.

Project Title: Feasibility study for Castor oil production

Objectives

• To study the production feasibility of castor oil

• To identify land for commercial cultivation

Production of sunflower oil

Strategy

Sun flower cultivation is feasible in the region. However, poor seeds production and poor oil
extraction facilities constrained the cultivation in the past. With advance technology,
constraints can be overcome and restart sun flower cultivation initially as marginal crop. The
promotion of this crop mainly depends on oil extraction potential and investment in this
direction.

Project: Cultivation of sun flower and oil production feasibility study

Objectives

• To explore the possibility of sunflower cultivation.

• To initiate local sunflower oil production
• To reduce the import of vegetable oil
4.5. Horticulture crops sub sector

Horticulture is an “umbrella” word that covers a great array of food and amenity plants, for
example: tree nuts (but not coconut), tree fruits (top fruits), berries (soft fruits), leafy
vegetables, fruiting vegetables, root, tuber and bulb vegetables, culinary herbs (basil,
coriander, parsley, and cloves), melons, gourds, pumpkins and squash, etc. Sri Lanka is a
tropical horticultural paradise and blessed with an agro-climate suitable for a wide range of
tropical, subtropical and some temperate fruits.

Northern region fruits receive a higher preference among consumers due to its unique
flavors and taste of consumer preference. This nature is strength to fruit development in the
region and the horticultural sector in the region seems to offer the best promise for
expansion of the agricultural sector in the future as this sector gains prominence in fruit
industry.
Production systems in the region are traditional, timed to take advantage of the rhythm of
the monsoons and the demands of production thus low yield. Pest management methods
in fruits and vegetables are dangerously out of hand. Estimated losses in post-harvest
handling channels have been put at approximately 40 percent. Fruit and vegetable
processors and exporters cite the unavailability of quality produce in sufficient quantities
and the lack of good post-harvest facilities as the major constraints to the growth of their
businesses.

This is especially crucial for consideration if horticultural sector offers opportunities for
economic expansion and development in the agricultural sector, perhaps more than any
other group of crops.

4.5.1 Fruit Crop Cultivation in the Region

The major fruit crops in the region are banana, grape vine (semi-perennials), mango, and
jack, pomegranate (perennials). However, other fruit crops are cultivated sporadically for
household needs. Grape vine cultivation is prominent in the district of Jaffna. The banana
which is cultivated on commercial scale comes continuously to the market. Other fruits
come to market in seasons. The marketable surplus of fruits moves to Colombo during the
peak period of production. During the conflict situation, fruit sector and its marketing
systems had been disrupted and the banana cultivators have reduced extent of banana
cultivation.

Management of perennial fruit crop trees is not seriously considered by growers due to
marketing problem. Seasonal bearing habit of perennial fruit trees render growers unable to
sell considerable quantity within a very short period and avoid damages. However, a good
management of existing trees will bring total fruit production of 50,000 mt per annum in the
region and it is fairly enough to regional requirement at present at the rate of 100 kg per
capita annual consumption as specified by MRI.

Another weakness of current production system is growing of numerous varieties which

represent different characteristics of product such as size, taste and Bgrown uprix value.
This is an unhealthy situation to consider for export and industrial market. Prompt action
on development of fruit crop production for quality production with international standard
for export will not take time to capture the opportunity.
Potential for Promotion of fruit production in the region

Fruits are having tremendous potential in industrial sector such as cordial, juice; puree and
canned fruit production. Canned jak fruits have good export potential. Preparation of
instant mango puree can be explored. This is available in every street in Thailand. The
variety Vellakolumban is suitable for mango puree preparation.
Jaffna Chunnakam Fruits Industry (JASUFI) and “Vesta” fruit industry has been leading in the
way of exploring fruit based value addition product preparation. These companies received
Sri Lanka standard certificate and its products are competitive in the national market.
Likewise, fruit value added preparation can be extended to other districts by establishing
partial processing units. A prudent planning to utilize fruits produced in the Northern region
to develop fruit industry is to be explored in the above possibilities. However, it is
impossible for a public institution to provide a substitute for the hands- on involvement for
fruit based agro-industry. Private participation is necessary to expand industry. Wood apple
is amply available in the region jungle and shrub land. Bring into proper management
system for performance is possible. Fruits trees are available in about 10,000 ha of land in
the region. Table- 15 and Figure7and 8 show the fruit cultivation trend in the region with
production

Table –15: Fruit crop cultivation and production in NP

Total extent Bearing Production
Banana 4096.6 2953 60371
Lime & Lemon 948.25 630.5 5837
Orange 332.58 248.5 1395
Mango 2171.8 1372 10690.75
Guava 419.85 250.5 1259.5
Papaw 524.8 397.4 6638.5
Jak 750.9 600 7747.5
Grapes 107.58 99.15 1819.35
Wood apple 407.25 300 200

Figure -8 Fruit crop existing extent in Northern Province

Figure-9 Fruit crop production in Northern Province

More than 50 horticultural crops are produced in the region and a revision of classifications
to include condiments would add more. While rice sustains the caloric needs of the people,
horticultural crops add other nutrients, especially vitamins, minerals, some protein and oil,
dietary fiber, flavors and are an attractive addition to any meal.
Strategies for Fruit crop Cultivation
Some of the major recommendations that imply a general area of focus in the programs
implementation or important actions required.

1. Crop improvement
2. Pesticide management and control
3. Post – Harvest management and marketing
4. Organizational and Management Strengthening
5. Private investment on value added product industry

In the area of crop improvement, existence of numerous cultivars in the region is strength to
quick improvement. Propagation of promising cultivars already available will be focused so
that uniform plant materials of the selected varieties will be available to farmers within a
reasonable time. Selection of additional cultivars will be a major area of concentration in
future as well. New introductions would be limited to only the cases where a specific
objective has been identified, such as obtaining a cultivar that produces a fruit with
desirable qualities. Pest control and pesticide use raise a series of issues ranging from
agricultural production to human health and environmental protection.

Development Thrust

The post- harvest handling and marketing are comprised of three general thrusts.

The first thrust is to carry out integrated action aiming at reducing post- harvest handling
losses. Although the benefits would be primarily in terms of the local market, improvements
in handling systems might make local products more competitive nationally and
internationally as well.
The second thrust is to promote export of fresh horticultural products by providing
additional information in greater detail for selected crops. This includes gathering additional
information on target markets, identification of areas for production in the region,
recommended cultivars, cultural practices, handling, and shipping methods, estimates of
production costs, etc. This kind of information would be useful to help direct future
investments.

General Constraints to Growth of the Horticulture Subsector

There are numerous constraints to horticultural production in the region and some
consideration of these is necessary to understand and plan for horticultural research and
development.

Small size of holdings- This results in inefficient planting sizes particularly of fruit crops.
While small plantings of vegetables are often given detailed attention by farmers and result
in reasonable yields and incomes, the production of fruits on a very small scale cannot be
afforded sufficient attention. Middle man buys from many small farmers and carries
produce to a second middle man in central markets and smallness also impedes the efficient
transfer of technology.
The marketing channel- The post-harvest handling system for perishables provides the
greatest opportunity for economic increases in many crops by reducing the losses between
the farmer and the consumer. It is possible that these losses in handling do more to increase
food costs to consumers and decrease the returns to the farmer than field production
problems.

Pest management- This method in fruits and vegetables are dangerously out of hand. As
many as a dozen applications of pesticides are given to a single crop including a post-harvest
application. Vegetables may arrive in markets with serious pesticide contamination and at
times pose a serious threat to the users of the materials and those who consume the
products. Pesticide residues and quality control also form a potentially serious matter for
export sales.

Major Development Objectives:

• Develop productive, environmentally friendly, sustainable and economically viable

production, harvesting and processing technologies.
• Disseminate appropriate technologies in close collaboration with research.
• Promote participation of other government and non – government agencies in
development programs.
• Supply high quality basic seeds and planting materials.
• Develop human resources to promote development.
• develop conducive environment for private participation and investment

4.5.1. Production Systems

Weaknesses and Strategies for Improvement

It is obvious that all crops cannot and do not deserve equal research and development
attention. For the regional production systems, eight fruit crops are considered major i.e,
banana, mango, pineapple, papaya, citrus, jack, grapes and pomegranate. Other minor
fruits crops are avocado, wood apple and star fruits.
Extension Strategy: - Market Oriented Extension Service

Fruits and vegetables are categorized under horticultural crops. Generally horticultural
crops particularly fruits are cultivated in small scale in homestead level except banana crop.
Major constraints of promoting horticulture crops are their perishable nature resulting in a
need for immediate market. Hence, market strategy is to be implemented to reduce market
losses.

Effective technology transfer for production of quality fruit from existing fruit trees and
vegetables, application of market technology such as poly packed fruits, use of crate for fruit
transport and use of packing material are in the hands of extension for fruit and vegetable
development service delivery. Heavy losses take place during ripening and transport to
market and market handling. So knowledge on ripening, transport and handing technology
knowhow by the producers will certainly reduce the losses after harvest.

Institutional strategy:

Development of Horticulture research and extension unit

Project strategies

Horticulture development is unique and exclusive service is necessary for quick promotion
with technical adoption and market promotion. As there is no officer expert in horticulture
crop development in the regional institution,
Assistance for organizational and institutional promotion is necessary and a unit in the
extension division with an officer in horticultural specialty is needed to coordinate
development program and marketing with private entrepreneurs. Specialist is required to
assist the program implementation and to learn modern technology in horticulture
development.

Project title:

Development of horticultural research and development unit and Appointment of

horticulture crop development specialist/ Subject Metter Specialist

Objectives:

• To promote quality fruit production

• To strengthen horticultural crop development.
• To coordinate horticultural development program
• To develop location specific technology

Development of Tropical Fruit processing units

Project Strategy

Tropical fruit processing has the potential to provide an excellent export opportunity for
the nation. One such processing unit was already developed in Jaffna which has to be
strengthened with market technology.
The forms of processed tropical fruit used in international trade are:
• single strength juices (bulk pack)
• concentrated juices (bulk pack)
• pulp and purees (bulk pack)
• frozen slices and pieces (bulk pack)
• essences

Each of the above processes can and often are operated in stand-alone plants in the
processing.

Project : Development of fruit processing units in vital locations.

Objective

• To promote technical adoption in harvesting

• To easy transport handling
• To reduce handling loss on transport
• To develop enterprises
• To increase high quality fruit consumption
• To give employment opportunity

Fruit crop development in the Region

Banana Cultivation
Banana is already a popular fruit produced in a variety of ecological
zones and is utilized throughout the country. There is significant
interest in Jaffna in producing banana for export. The improvement in
banana cultivation and selection of banana for export in an integrated
approach is necessary. This is attributed by following reasons.

• Large volume of production /consumption

• Potential for significant reduction in post harvest losses.
• Some export and processing potential.
• Current concentrations of production that will provide the critical mass necessary
to support improvements.

The banana cultivation in the region is best described as organic way of commercial
cultivation. Estimated extent of 4000 ha of banana are currently under cultivation
throughout the year in the region with the largest concentration of 2000 ha (50%) in Jaffna.
Varieties Kathali and Kappal are the most popular in the region. However the introduction of
Embul has gained momentum and it has good keeping quality and suitable for cultivation in
most agro-ecological zones. For export orientation, department promotes KoliKudu variety
cultivation.

Development Potential

Export of processed banana as ‘Banana Pulp’ is one of the principal processed banana
products in international trade with estimated sales of 70,000 to 80,000 mt. annually.
Although this business is dominated by the multi- national fruit companies, it is likely that
the producers in the region in collaboration with Sri Lanka Producers Association could take
a small part of it through various marketing strategies.

In addition, there is a significant trade for fried banana chips - a small but rapidly growing
business and quick frozen banana slices. Processors will have to determine whether
northern region type bananas are acceptable to the trade.

Weakness in Current Production System

• Traditional varieties are grown in the region but Kappal variety is used for export.
However, Cavendish variety is to be developed for export.
• Production practices do not follow already known technology to achieve maximum
yields and quality.
• Post- harvest techniques and handling are grossly inadequate.
• No organized marketing
• About 40% post-harvest losses occur between harvests to end-users.

Elements of an Improved Production System

Cultivation of Appropriate Varieties

Many traditional varieties do not have the disease resistance, shipping, and keeping
qualities of bananas appropriate for an export market. The international market depends on
a very few varieties, including the Valery variety of Cavendish. Short term efforts should be
toward market existing varieties of bananas especially Embul. Intermediate efforts should
be to select better local varieties for marketing (Kappal). Long- term effort is to introduce
and multiply the export quality banana (Eg- valery).

Application of Appropriate Culture

Use of proper offshoots for planting, adequate spacing, adequate fertilization especially
nitrogen and potassium, control of insects and diseases, good weed control, management of
the clump to avoid excess shoots, mechanical support and bagging of the bunches are to be
focused for better production.

Adoption of Appropriate Harvest and Post- harvest Practices

Harvest on time, and transport carefully to reduce bruising and heating, washing and drying,
packing in boxes, temperature control during transport, possible ethylene treatment to
promote ripening.

Recommended Strategies and Projects

I. Productivity Enhancement

Project Strategy

Improvement in management practices with advanced technology in production culture will

enhance production.
Objectives

• To promote adoption of appropriate technology in cultivation.

• To introduce new technology appropriate to area for better production.
• To enhance knowledge and skill in fruit crop management.
• Promotion of Export Potential Banana Fruit crops

Project Strategy
Selection of local banana varieties for the domestic market is to be focused. Its goal should
be to reduce costs to the consumer, while improving farmer income. This would be
accomplished through improvements in plant material, cultural practices and post-harvest
handling. These improvements would also indirectly support the fresh and processed export
sector. Select among existing banana varieties for a clone more suitable for shipping, then
multiply it rapidly for distribution to farmers.

Project Title:
Multiplication of export potential variety either by tissue culture method or by
pseudonymous planting material
Objectives
• To develop export potential banana orchard cultivation
• To introduce the export variety banana as the potential basis for a further export
industry.
• To develop of banana sucker/Plant-lets production
Post-harvest Handling Improvement with De-handing Centre
Project Strategy
The post-harvest handling system should revolve around a centrally located packing shed.
The packing shed will de-hand the stems and grade the product, and will chemically treat it
to retard spoilage. The graded product will then be packed into containers to avoid bruising.
Producers will be trained on better methods of harvesting and transporting the product to
the shed, as well as the type of container appropriate to the situation in the region. With
these other improvements in place, it must be determined if a cold chain is needed, given
the short transport time of the product. However, given the volume involved, a cold chain
will not add significantly to the unit costs. The packing shed need not be elaborate and could
be owned and operated either by an association of the growers, one of the collaborating
brokers, or an association of brokers.

Procedure

This includes procedures to assure harvesting the fruit at the proper time, cutting and
handling the fruit, delivery to the packing shed, handling the product in the shed, selection,
grading and weighing. These procedures must be evaluated and modified to reflect the
needs and conditions of the domestic market. The use of boxes will be the most
controversial aspect. However, the economics of reduced loss and easy handling by the
truckers should be compelling. Research should be conducted in developing container that
will make sense for the region’s situation.
Project: Establishment of de-handing centers in specific location

Objectives

• To reduce post-harvest losses

• To reduce unwanted weight in transport.
• To increase the stuff in transport
• To facilitate employment opportunity

4.5.3. Mango Cultivation in the Region

Mango
The Mango is a traditional local fruit crop already grown in
the region and widely used for consumption. The mango is
cultivated in home stead as a backyard industry with one to
three trees in a home and in some places it goes up to 10
trees. Cultivators take advantages of natural rain fall for crop
growing and fruit harvesting and are indifferent for
management improvement of higher production. Its
potentials are to increase local consumption with better
varieties and with processed products and to export high quality fruits and their processed
products. Post-harvest handling is complicated by so many wide- spread backyard growers
making quality product difficult. Some varieties are grown for tried mango product which
potential for export market

Potential for Mango Fruit Development

• Mangoes are grown throughout the region with a variety of cultivars all of which are
not having export quality.
• There is insufficient production to meet domestic demand. There is a strong in- place
demand by the existing processors.
• The region has variety of fruit crops with different taste and aroma. as for the
Alfonso and Tommy Atkins, The Alfonso is preferred by processors. The principal
fresh market would be the Gulf States where there is stiff competition from India.
• Selection of best cultivar for export is possible to compete with India

Weaknesses of Current Production System

• Majority of plants are available in homestead with poor management

• The majority of the trees are brought by seedlings of varied types. Fruits often have
poor shipping and keeping qualities.
• The improved grafted varieties are not yet produced in quantity for farmers.
• Fruits are produced in excess during some seasons of the year and are not available
in sufficient quantities during other seasons.
• Existing product is not handled adequately to assure market quality
• The potential for processed products is not sufficiently tapped.
Elements of an Improved Production System

Cultivation of Appropriate Varieties

The production system should move towards increased use of selected varieties produced
by grafting from those varieties already existing in the region
Introduction of variety Alphonse, Malwana, Tommy Atkins, Sensation, and Kent also is
possible.

Use of Appropriate Culture

This includes adequate – sized plantations, use of grafted trees on uniform rootstocks,
correct spacing, adequate fertilization, weed control, supplemental irrigation when needed,
and possibly protective sprays. The possibility of off- season production induced by
potassium sprays will be tested.

Application of Appropriate Harvest and Post – Harvest Practices

Plucking and Picking by hand at the appropriate stage, packing into containers to avoid
bruising and heating during transit, cleaning and grading, packing into shipping containers,
storage and transport at controlled temperatures, prompt marketing will reduce the post-
harvest losses.

Strategies for development

• Using the best judgment now available on varieties, rapidly prepare mother plant
orchards as a source of scion (bud- wood) for future multiplication when current
evaluations of varieties are completed.
• Select best varieties now known for rapid multiplication and distribution to farmers.
• Search among local seedlings for improved potential cultivars for long term
development.
• Promote improved handling and processing by assistance to the post harvest sector.
• Promote the planting of some farms with sufficient production to support an
industry. One person can manage two hectares of mango and with a little additional
help can mange up to four hectares.
• Study the possibility of stimulating off- season production with potassium sprays.
• Initiate a program to graft (top work) old trees to better varieties.
• Adopt pruning and training practices for better quality production

Production and Productivity Improvement of Mango Tree

Project strategy

As mango producers are meant for having homestead production, productivity

improvement should be handled by the extension with various technological practices in the
field.

Project Title: Capacity building on Mango tree management and quality fruit production
and demonstration
Objectives:
• To encourage adoption of appropriate technologies.
• To overcome malpractices in fruit tree management.
• To build capacity in pruning and training of tree.
• To introduce harvesting device for plucking of fruit.
• To obtain optimum and uniform size fruits.
• To rejuvenate old trees.
Pest and Disease Management

Project Strategy:

Pest management: Mango leaf hopper is a problematic pest in mango production. This can
be controlled by timely application of chemical and proper cultural practices. Capacity
building of cultivator in integrated pest management will be implemented.
Project Title

Development of Integrated pest management program for mango tree

Objective
• To manage pest damage to the minimum.
• To introduce cost effective method.
• To obtain quality fruits

Quality Mango Fruits Production and Development

Project Strategies
Promotion of quality fruit with standard for export orientation is one option to capture the
international market. Not all the fruits produced are having international quality and
consumer preference. Identification of ideal fruit trees as nucleus mother plants to be
explored for export potential fruits production in the region is to be taken in to
consideration to increase extent of cultivation of identified variety in the region to make
sure the quality fruit production in all areas in the region. It is one possible option for export
oriented quality fruit production.

Project Title:

Development and promotion of export potential mango fruit variety within the region.

Selection of variety for export orientation and its production of planting material

Objectives

• To select suitable variety among existing

• To develop export potential fruiting cultivars
• To plant export cultivar in the homestead and orchards as well
• To promote mango farm with good variety
• To rapidly multiply best cultivars of selected Fruit
Market Strategy

Marketing and post-harvest handling were grouped into three overall areas or thrusts or
projects.
1. Reduction of post – harvest handling losses in the domestic market.
2. Development of exports for fresh fruit
3. Laying ground work for a Tropical Fruit Processing Industry.

Initiating movement towards more cost effective post-harvest handling can be done
through pilot projects. This should be developed in collaboration with the private sector to
insure implementation.

The problem of high costs, poor quality and loss, is not a problem of post harvest handling
alone. It involves the entire process starting with varieties and production. Better varieties
and more efficient cultural practices will provide higher quality produce, with better keeping
qualities, at a lower cost; and better post-harvest handling will allow the industry to deliver
higher quality products, at less cost to the consumer. Horticultural growers in the region are
to be generally small farmers, with a hunger for information on how to improve.
Tropical Fruit Processing Development (See ealier project)

Project Strategy

Emphasis will be placed on laying the ground work necessary to encourage the development
of an extensive mango fruit processing in the region. The resistance to better post – harvest
handling for the domestic market centres may be on its perceived higher costs of the final
product.

Project Title : Establishment of domestic market centres in the region

Objectives

• To promote fresh and hygienic fruits markets

• To promote whole sale buying and market
• To reduce market pre and post harvest handling damage
• To promote community marketing
• To encourage good fruit tree management at homestead level

4.5.4. Jak fruit cultivation in the region

The region has quite famous for jak fruit. Several areas are having
jak fruits trees and quality and taste are diverse in nature the
varieties grown in the region are specific to the regional areas. Since
potential market for processed and canned product and fruits seeds
are exist in ethnic and niche markets outside the country. Hence,
promotion of Jak cultivation in the region with selected export
quality varieties will give rise to the occasion of expanding market to national and global.
Production and productivity enhancement strategy

Since seedling propagation give variability in characters due to crossing of varieties. Jak fruit
crop should be planted with grafted seedling obtaining scion from the quality and desirable
character fruit trees. Selection of good quality nucleus mother is possible from the existing
trees. Establishment of jak fruits nurseries for production of quality grafted jak seedlings for
re-planting is the strategy for productivity enhancement of export oriented jak fruits

Project Title: Production and promotion of export potential varieties.

Objectives

• To promote good quality planting material production and supply

• To promote existence of good quality jak fruits trees in the region
• To promoting marketing

4.5.5. Pineapple cultivation in the region

Pineapple has been already introduced and existing in homestead
level. The potential exists for increasing its cultivation in land of 8000
ha of coconut plantation. Sri Lanka’s extent of cultivation is about
4350 ha and producing only 30,000 mt which is not enough to meet
the export demand to neighbor county Pakistan. Cultivation with
variety Kew, Red Spanish, and Sugarloaf type will have high potential
and canning in several forms for internal use and for export is possible
in the region.

Weaknesses of Current Production System

• The present industry is at introductory level.
• Inadequate supply of planting material.
• Difficulty in getting planting material.
Elements of an Improved Production System
Use of Appropriate Varieties
Smooth cayenne is suggested for canning and for export of fresh fruits. Red Spanish and
Sugarloaf are suggested primarily for local fresh market. However, the present variety Kew
is prominent in Sri Lanka.

Appropriate Culture

Highly modernized production systems have to be improved. These include methods of

propagation, weed control, pest control, and stimulate flowering for uniformity of
production.

Application of Appropriate Harvest and Post- harvest Systems

This may include time and method of harvest, protection from bruising and excess
exposure, cleaning, packing and shipping including temperature controls. The technology
already available is quite enough to be developed.
Production and Productivity Enhancement

Project Strategy

Make available through extension the best production techniques to be adopted in pine
apple cultivation with the steady supply of pine apple sucker for development. This plant is
slightly tolerant to saline soil. Saline tract can be explored for this cultivation regardless the
fruit quality. The variety Mauricious or Kew can be promoted and new variety for saline
tract is to be explored.

Project Title: Implementation of production technology adoption program

Objectives

• To promote pine apple cultivation both in homestead and under coconut plantation
as commercial cultivation
• To promote pine apple cultivation in suitable location.
• To introduce pine apple cultivation in crop zoning program.
• To enhance knowledge and skill in cultivation

Production of planting material

Project Strategy

Planting material is the major problem in promoting pine apple cultivation in the region.
Production of planting material will be developed with promotion of this fruit crop
cultivation.

Project: Development of production and supply of planting material system

Objectives

• To supply planting material to farmers.

• To receive additional income by sale of suckers.
• To extent pine apple cultivations
• To adapt to climatic condition

4.5.6. Citrus cultivation in the region-Lime and Orange

Requirement for lime, orange and mandarin is ever

increasing in both domestic and industrial sector. Lime
juice is an essential ingredient in the diet of SriLankan. This
is an essential fruit for vitamin ‘C’ supply. Hence lime and
orange are cultivated in most of the homesteads. But,
minimal management of tree results in poor production.
However, the large scale commercial cultivation exists in
Vavuniya district. The variety Tahiti is suitable for
promotion of lime fruit production in the region. Under the crop zoning program, sweet
orange varieties are being promoted. Every household prefers to plant this crop in the
homestead. Pumelo and Mandarin is other citrus family crop which can be exploited as the
time goes on with demand for juice and mass melon production industry.

Weakness in Production System

One of the major weaknesses in the production system is poor tree management and
technical knowhow. As it is a very delicate plant, rough handling will damage the plant. It is
very susceptible to die back disease and other diseases by physical damage.

Development Strategies

• Select areas suitable for lime production.

• Multiply selected lime varieties as rapidly as possible and distribute to farmers.
• Create awareness on the technology recommendations available for growers,
• Make available to prospective packers, processors, and shippers the best post-
harvest and processing information available.

Production and Productivity Enhancement

Project Strategy

The better tree management and capacity building on tree management will promote the
lime production in the region. The variety Tahiti can be promoted.

Project: Capacity building Training and demonstration at field level.

Objectives

• To promote knowledge on technical knowhow for better management.

• To encourage to plant in every household in the rural area.
• To prepare and distribute reading material.

Development of Citrus Farm

Project Strategy

Identify suitable zone in the region and promote lime cultivation in commercial scale. A
subsidy scheme will be introduced for supply of inputs for one year of management. This
will enhance the good management practices by the cultivators

Project Title: Development of Lime Farm in identified suitable zone in the region

Objectives

• To promote commercial scale lime cultivation.

• To develop lime crop zone in the region.
• To facilitate citrus product based industry development.
• To Identify suitable zone in the region and promote lime cultivation
4.5.7. Orange

Development of Orange

Production and Supply of Sweet Orange Seedlings

Project Strategy

A huge potential is available to develop Citrus orchard in north of vavuniya Where citrus
cultivation was once famous for sweet orange production hence the area will be zoned for
sweet orange cultivation and develop in commercial scale. Hence, Revitalization of orange
cultivation in the area will be facilitated by supply of good quality orange seedling and
subsidy for inputs up to one year.

Project Title: Development of Production and supply system of sweet orange grafted
seedling.

Objectives:

• To promote local quality planting material production

• To promote orange cultivation with sweet orange variety.
• To disseminate appropriate technologies among farmers.
• To train on pruning of water shoot and thinning out techniques
• To promote pruning technology with the use of bordex mixture

4.5.8. Papaw

Papaw is well known as a dessert type fruit throughout the

area and any person can consume this fruit. It has a good
source of papain used as meat tenderizers. It has some
promise as a fresh export crop and definite but limited
potential as a processed fruit. Papaw cultivation is very
susceptibile for damage in submerged condition and
therefore a drainage system is needed during wet season
and also it is susceptible to ring- spot virus which limits production. Development of papaw
cultivation in small orchard level with variety having red flesh and more shelf life will fetch
fairly good income to household. There are hybrid varieties with preferable characters
available in the market.

Weaknesses of Current Production System

• The greatest weakness of the current system is the use of low quality varieties or of
non- descript seedlings.
• Poor tree management
• Lack of adequate processing methods.

The availability of hybrid varieties shows the potential promotion of this fruit crop as
commercial farming
Elements of an Improved Production System

Variety

The ideal variety is of the so- called hermaphroditic type. Seeds from the hermaphrodite
result in 2/3 hermaphrodite and 1/3 females which are usually discarded. Varieties must be
kept pure. The variety having long keeping quality is better for promotion.

Appropriate Production Techniques

These include seed preparation and storage, direct planting or potting of seedlings, control
of seedling diseases, proper spacing, heavy fertilization, perfect weed control, control of
pests including virus vectors (aphids and white flies) and harvest at the proper stage which
is normally mature green with slight yellow in the bottom.

Appropriate Post- Harvest Treatment

The post-harvest treatment has not been taken serious by either producer or marketer. The
post-harvest treatment includes very careful harvest and handling, avoidance of bruising,
scratching and exposure to sun, washing and cleaning, grading. Careful packing, shipping
and temperature control are necessary in transporting fruit. Possible ethylene fumigation
treatment and radiation treatment can be done at port of entry when export is done.

Development Strategies:

• Use hybrid Import fresh seed and other hermaphroditic varieties.

• Produce seed of the selected varieties under conditions of isolation and rouging to
type. Use seed of hermaphrodites only. Make such seed available to farmers.
• Make the best production technology available through extension services.

Development of papaw cultivation

Project Strategy

Market oriented extension with promotion of technology application and facilitation for
market will be focused. Supply of seedling of hybrid variety will be promoted with private
producer. Introduction of papaw harvester for easy plucking of fruits is to be promoted

Project title: Production and Productivity Enhancement

Objectives

• To promote papaw cultivation with export variety.

• To promote application of post-harvest technology.
• To introduce new technology in papaw production.
Marketing of fruits

Project Strategy

Application of wraps around the fruits can reduce damage in transport and to promote
papaw market value of the fruit and papaw fruit drink is ideal thrust quenching drink with
nutritive value.

Project title: Papaw fruit related value addition technology development

Objective

• To promote use of papaw juice in daily life

• To promote proper maintenance of fruit tree.
• To promote marketing of fruit

4.5.9. Avocado

Avocados are a familiar dooryard fruit produced throughout Sri lanka

and available in season in local markets and it has good source of
vegetable fat. There is great potential for cultivating avocado in the
northern region at homestead level to cater domestic needs in the
initial stage and go for export later. Avocado plant has already been
introduced.

Element s of an improved production system

Appropriate Varieties
Grafted trees of selected varieties which are early mid season and late should be used for
new plantings.
Appropriate Culture
At least homestead level planting of selected varieties is recommended as a beginning of
production later some hectare-sized plantings for export. Good production requires correct
spacing, fertilization, weed, and pest control.

Appropriate Harvest and Post-Harvest Practices

Avocados are picked green when physiologically mature which will be ready to ripen in a
few days. This must be determined by trial picking. They must be picked and transported to
avoid bruising and overheating.

Development Strategies

Excellent avocado varieties and local selections are already available in Sri Lanka for
introduction. Multiply as rapidly as possible to obtain mother – plant nurseries in the region.
Development of Avacado fruit cultivation
Project Strategy

Potential of promotion of this fruit crop will be started with introduction at homestead level
and make aware of this fruit consumption to promote market.

Project Title: Introduction of Avocado Fruit Plant of Homestead Level

Objectives

• To introduce avocado fruit crop in home garden.

• To supply grafted seedling to homestead under agro-forestry program.

4.5.10. Grapevine
Grape is cultivated largely in Jaffna district and sporadically
in other districts. As the demand for this fruit is high during
season, producers concentrate on intensive method of
technical application. Grape vine cultivation needs higher
initial capital cost and cultivations are limited. As this is a
seasonal crop, outside market is necessary for expansion of
this crop. There are varieties to be cultivated for different
purposes such as vine preparation, dried fruit, and fresh
fruit etc. It is a profitable fruit crop and has industrial potential.
Weakness
Poor technical knowhow and high investment and long period of management limit
expansion of the cultivation.

Development strategy

Expansion of Grape Vine Cultivation

Project Strategy

Improve production through dissemination of technical knowhow and introduction of

seedless varieties with the present “Israel blue” variety cultivation. Expand cultivation
through supply of planting material.

Project Title: Expansion of grape vine cultivation with seedless variety

Objectives
• To facilitate production and supply of planting material.
• To introduce new variety suitable for table
• To make aware of production technology
4.5.11. Expansion of Pomegranate cultivation
It performs well in coastal areas. Seedless variety is available in the department to promote
this fruit at home garden level. It has a good medicinal value for many ailments
Project Title: Expansion of pomegranate cultivation with consumer preference variety

Objectives

• Supply of soft seeded variety seedlings for promotion of pomegranate cultivation in

the suitable area
• To promote expansion of this fruit cultivation.
• To make available of fruits in the market at affordable price
• To increase the consumption of pomegranate

4.5.12. Expansion of Guava cultivation

Guava can be promoted in homestead level and commercial level. There are varieties for
good quality guava fruit production such as bankok giant, safeda etc. Department has
developed varieties with red flesh, white flesh and seedless. This also can be promoted at
home garden level

Project Title: Promotion of Guava cultivation with the supply of consumer preference guava
seedling

Objectives

• To make realize the potential of this crop

• To promote good commercial oriented variety in cultivation
• To promote fruits consumption

4.5.13. Other Fruit Crops Recommended for cultivation

Some of the tropical fruits still have potential to grow in the region but not yet favorably
taken by the department to give a dynamic encouragement to in developing those fruits
tree in a commercial scale with technology development for production improvement.
However, these fruit crops have to be taken into much consideration

Sapodilla

This fruit can be cultivated in the region. Action will be taken to cultivate sapodilla at
homestead level by supplying planting material.

Dragon fruit

This fruit has good potential for hotel industry. This is cactus type of fruit tree which can be
cultivated in the region as it needs high temperature for better growth. Cultivation of this
fruit crop can be considered depending on market potential. For trial purpose, this will be
cultivated in the training centre.

Wood Apple

The management of Lanka Cannery has stated that there are good international markets for
processed wood apple.
Tamarind

This crop has export potential but people are not taking interest in cultivating this crop in
the homesteads. This is grown naturally all over the area. In future this crop should be given
attention for promotion.

Areca nut

This crop can be promoted in the homestead since it is an ingredient to beetle chewers.
Limited but steady market prevails. Selection of potential variety for dry zone and regional
requirement is necessary.

4.6. Extension Program for Horticulture Development

Establishment Model Horticulture Farm at DATC

Project Strategy

Availability of good quality fruits seedlings in the region is very much poor. Supply of quality
seedlings is expected from either research station or from farm at south region. To alleviate
this problem and to develop model orchard with nucleus plants for future Quality and
pedigree planting material production and quality training on horticultural crops
development. The DATC will be facilitated by this development. This farm also serves as a
model demonstration unit to the farmers in the DATC.
Project Title: Establishment of horticulture farm with nucleus fruit plant for training

Objectives

• To maintain pedigree plant in the farm.

• To serve as model horticultural farm in the training centre.
• To promote integrated crop management.
• To produce and supply good quality seedling to farmers
• To supply good scion for bud grafting by private nurserymen

Integrated Horticultural Development Program

Project Strategy

Development of integrated horticultural farm at commercial level will be facilitated by this

project this program aims at expansion of horticultural crop cultivation in an integrated
manner. Improving the productivity through adoption of advanced technology will be
promoted in this strategy.

Objectives
• To promote integrated horticulture farming
• To apply the cropping system technology.
• To increase the income of unit area of cultivated land.
• Maintain the eco-system by application of bio-fertilizer and botanic pesticide
4.7. Vegetable Crops
Historically, Vegetable Cultivation in the region is a prominent venture and cultivated with
traditional varieties which had potential feature for pest and disease resistibility. With the
advent of new technology, Vegetable cultivation was replaced with new inbred and hybrid
varieties and also Genetic engineering has advanced to generate Genetically Modified
Plants.
Hence, farmers in Northern region have good knowledge on vegetable cultivation and
cultivate vegetables throughout the year. A wide range of vegetable crops are grown in the
region and used in the daily diet. However climate has considerable effect on the
production of up-country vegetables, such as beans, leeks and cauliflower etc, in dry season
unless cultivated in control condition. Therefore, to get availability of up-country vegetable
year round, control system of cultivation (net house, protected agriculture, shade net
cultivation) should be adopted. Introduction of net house cultivation has shown
encouraging results to farmers. Safe vegetable cultivation technologies are available but
costly. This is possible when export markets are explored.

Some of the most important vegetable crops being cultivated in the region are grouped by
importance or use and listed below, Chilli and red onion are also now included into
vegetables.

Condiments

• Chili
• Red onion

High Nutritional Value Pod vegetables

• Green beans
• Yard long beans
• Winged beans
• Okra
• Tomato

High Nutritional Value Leavy vegetables

• Kankun (Ipomia)
• Spinach (Basella)
• Gotucola (Centinela)
• Mukunuwenna (Alternanthera)

Melon and Fruit Vegetables of Little Nutritional Value

• Eggplant
• Cucumber
• Luffa
• Bitter gourd
• Snake gourd
Weakness in vegetable cultivation

The following weakness are identified in vegetable cultivation in the region

Vegetable cultivation in the region mostly have been on soil inherent fertility and a few
farmers apply fertilizer along with organic manure.

The application of fertilizer in large scale commercial production is to get advantages of

marketing. As such, the production potential in existing cultivation is yet to be improved.

• Poor Eco-friendly adoptable technology for pest and diseases

• Most of the farmers adopt traditional practice in cultivation
• Mostly subsistence and home stead level
• Management takes advantage of market
• Poor post harvest handling and transport causing loss
• Harvesting depend on market

Vegetable cultivation in the region

Vegetable are cultivated all over in the districts as commercial subsistence and home needs.
Table 16 and Figure 9 show the trend of vegetable production in the region as an average of
five years.

Table –16: Vegetable cultivated extent and production 1996 – 2007

Vegetable cultivated extent and production 1996 - 2007

District Year 1996-2000 2001-2005 2006-2007
Cultivated Extent(ha) Maha 3955.79 5497.99 6480.085
Yala 1876.244 3413.518 3631.65
Total 5832.034 8911.508 10111.735
Production(mt) Maha 57451.3 92733.43 112933.2
Yala 26058.44 54454.244 52168.1
Total 83509.74 147187.674 165101.3

Figure 10: vegetable cultivated extent and production

4.7.1. Chili Cultivation and Development
Chili is categorized under condiment crops and used in the preparation
of curry as powder and sliced green pods to make the taste of the curry
as traditionally practiced in all over the regions in Sri Lanka. Chili are
grown as cash crop in high land under irrigated condition and are
harvested fresh and marketed either fresh or after having been dried or
after processing as chili powder. The production of chilli in the region is
quite enough to meet the demand of the regional population (Table 17
and Figure 1 and 11). As this crop produce has continuous demand
throughout the year, it fetches more income to farmer, thus technology applications are
intensive in chili cultivation.

Varieties

Two old varieties developed in Sri Lanka, MI-I and MI-2, are used as standard. However, new
varieties such as KA lines and hybrid MI hot and other varieties under screening are
available for better production. Availability or accessibility of seeds is poor in the region.

Table 17: Northern Province chili cultivated extent and production 1985-2007

Northern province chilli cultivated extent and production 1985 - 2007

District Season 1985 1986-1990 1991-1995 1996-2000 2001-2005 2006-2007
Cultivated Maha 2640 4358.4 1904.4 1543.8 1535.7 1430.45
Extent(ha)
Yala 1151 3377.2 1734.2 404.3 241.19 270.675
Total 3791 7735.6 3638.6 1948.1 1776.89 1701.125
Production(mt) Maha 2026.4 5582.8 2366.2 1703.1 2388.35 2174.575
Yala 3210.6 4858.25 1026.8 306.12 364.756 391.445
Total 5237 10441.05 3393 2009.22 2753.106 2566.02

Figure 11: Chilli cultivated extent in Northern Province

Figure 12: Chilli production extent in Northern Province

Limiting Factors

A minor factor limiting production is loss of fruit due to Anthracnose disease during the wet
season. A major factor is the curling, malformation, and leaf loss due to a poorly understood
complex, possibly a combination of insect or mite and virus. This is called as leaf curl
complex or little leaf disease. Further yellowing of leaves too is a problem in some areas.
Leaf curl complex (LCC) disease can sometime reduce yields to nothing. This is a crop where
pesticides are used excessively.

Strategies

• Studies are needed to determine the nature of the “narrow leaf disorder’ and then
to suggest controls. A package of practice is recommended by the research.
• Better controls are needed that do not involve more than minor use of pesticides.
• The entire chili collection should be screened for disease resistant varieties.
• Varietal substitution or breeding may prove necessary over the long run.
Eco friendly technology control of pest and diseases is necessary

Technical Activities that Control Leaf Curl Complex

Project strategy

The LCC is the most severely affecting disease in chilli cultivation. Control of this menace is
imminent and imperative for better production. Package of practice is necessary to control
this complex disease

Project: Establishment of demonstration plot with package of practices

Objectives

• To manage little leaf curl complex.

• To increase production.
• To encourage farmers to cultivate.
4.7.2. Onion
Northern region is famous for its red-onion cultivation.
Onions are used everywhere, everyday as a condiment
vegetable in the country’s household, and therefore onion
is a high priority vegetable crop. Onions are used fresh or
superficially dried. There is dehydrated onion in the
market. People use onion for chutney preparation too.
Onion cultivation in the region is good enough to the
regional population. But, high demand exists in southern
part of the country due to its level of pungency over other region production.
Cultivation in the region
Onion crops are cultivated in large scale in all districts in the region as cash crop with
intensive management with irrigation in dry season and to a lesser extent with rainfall in
wet season. Especially shallot type red onion is cultivated in the region. Introduction of
micro sprinkler irrigation paved way for improvement in productivity and water
management. Table –17 and Figure 12 and 13 show the red-onion cultivation trend in the
region, averaged in five years

Varieties
There are many local recessions /tribes found in the region cultivation. However, basically
two kinds of onion are grown- multiplier onion (shallot) with red skin and a large single-bulb
type also with red skin. The former was first produced from seeds and is now grown from
small bulbs. Many Jaffna local cultivars were found to be cultivated. They are differently
named by the farmers. Big onion variety also is cultivated in the area.

Table- 17: Red onion Cultivated Extent and Production 1985 - 2007

District Season 1985 1986-1990 1991-1995 1996-2000 2001-2005 2006-2007

Cultivated Maha 1682 2458.4 2070.2 697.16 1027.16 729
Extent(ha)
Yala 2754 2715 2734.5 992.12 1501.84 1352.25
Total 4436 5173.4 4804.7 1689.28 2529 2081.25
Production(mt) Maha 20118 28360.4 24239.2 5937 13825.43 14694.9
Yala 31152 30630 30891 11045 20247.54 17359
Total 51270 58990.4 55130.2 16982 34072.97 32053.9

Figure 13: Red onion Cultivated Extent in Northern Province

Figure 14: Red onion production in Northern Province

Weakness in the Production System:

There is lack in inter and intra district seed supply mechanism. Regularized seed production
will improve the production.

Limiting Factors

Disease and insect problems are not serious limitations so far, except the nematode and leaf
twisting problem in some areas. The unavailability of red onion in part of the year is a
serious limitation for seed onion.

Strategies

• The problem of seasonal availability is already tackled by improved storage facilities,

mostly at the farmer level.
• Since the onion germ-plasm in Jaffna varied with “vetharaniam” variety, this should
be protected and identify the better variety for cultivation to market demand.
• The seed production and storage ability to satisfy onion demands during the rainy
season. The efforts already underway on seed production should be extended, and a
reliable seed production industry should be developed.
• Development of Seed Production and Local Storage

Project Strategy

Identify farmer group for production of seed onion and make aware to other farmers the
availability and assist producer for storing of seed bulb.

Project title: Development and Improvement onion seed production system

Objectives

• To supply seed onion to farmers.

• To promote local storage facilities.
• To facilitate year round production of onion.
4.7.3. Tomato Cultivation
Tomato is the third vegetable (with chillies and onions)
used daily in the diet, and is therefore a very important
vegetable crop. Tomatoes are used principally fresh, but to
a lesser extent as processed paste, puree, and to an even
lesser extent, as a juice. There is potential for promotion of
this crop product value addition as tomato catch up.

Weaknesses of Current Production System

• No suitable variety for dry season as heat tolerant
• Poor technology knowhow for cultivation

Varieties

Many varieties have been introduced and tested over the years. There are a number of
varieties developed at AVRDC and HORDI. There appears to be suitable, disease resistant,
high quality, high yielding variety available.

Limiting Factors

Tomatoes are limited by a wide range of problems. These tend to be the same almost
everywhere in the tropics and are most severe in the rainy season. Therefore, most
production occurs during the dry season. Among the most severe problems are bacterial
wilt which can be avoided by planting in disease free fields and by resistant varieties, early
and late blight which are sporadic as are the various virus problems. In addition, some
varieties exhibit physiological diseases including blossom end rot, problems of cracking and
cat face and also now it is attacked by mites.

Strategies

• The problem of appropriate variety is complex and there are no final solutions. A
continuous introduction and through testing of new varieties is desirable.
• The problem of shortage during the rainy season might be alleviated with variety.

Hi-Tech Tomato Cultivation

Project Strategy

Promotion of cultivation under control environment such as poly ethylene tunnel, net house
etc. will be advocated. Initially it can be started with the cultivation under net house system
for promotion of tomato cultivation.

Project: Development of protected agriculture system.

Objectives

• To promote tomato cultivation under control practices.

• To make available with year round production.
• To reduce market price fluctuation to optimum.
• To manage pest and disease effectively.
4.7.4. Green Bean

Green Beans are important supplemental vegetables often used cooked alone or mixed with
other vegetables. In reality, there are three species that are somewhat interchangeable in
uses, the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), the yard- long bean (Vigna sesquipedalis) and
the winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus). However, the region concerns only the
second. Most are used fresh although some are pickled in vegetable mixtures. In the region,
mostly yard-long bean is cultivated. There are many varieties traditionally being cultivated in
the house hold level in the region but those are now become extinct.

Weaknesses of Current Production System

No dry season cultivation

Varieties

Most are of the climbing type, although some are bush type.

Limiting Factors

Green beans are attacked by a wide variety of diseases and insects. None of which are
critical. There is a limit of suitable areas for production of green bean. Pod set is limited in
hot weather.

Strategies

The substitution of green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) by the much better adapted yard – long
bean is a very appropriate solution for bean promotion in the region. This can be promoted
in home stead farming. However the cultivation of beans can be promoted with control
condition.

Facilitate Seed Supply in the Time of Requirement.

Project strategy

Seed production of long bean is costly. This will be produced with special care by private
seed and public seed production system.

Project: Development of Seed production and supply system

Objectives

• To promote seed production and supply of yard long bean

• To make available long bean seed at affordable cost.
• To regularize seed supply system
4.7.5. Melons
The word melon refers to fruits of several species of the family
Cucurbitacea, especially the general Citrullus (watermelon) and
Cucumis (cantaloupe, musk- melon, casaba and honey dew, oriental
melon) and their hybrids and selected cultivars. All melons require dry
climate, low humidity, and plenty of heat. They prefer soils that are
loamy and fertile, and that are neither very acid nor very alkaline.
Nevertheless, it will be possible to produce melons in selected
environments in the region and during selected seasons. While there is
a great potential for a local market in melons, the export market is also
likely to be very good. Melon is not much cultivated in the region as it has no demand in the
region. However the production will bring the demand from outside

Varieties

A very large number of varieties are available. However, very few varieties combine the
disease resistances, production, shipping characteristics, and eating quality desired. This is
true also for the watermelon.

Limiting Factors

Production techniques for melons, except watermelon, are almost unknown in this region.
The varieties of watermelon grown in table quality are inadequate in the country.
Seeds of the required varieties are not available in Sri Lanka (including watermelon
varieties). There is little knowledge or practice of adequate post-harvest techniques.

Promotion of water melon cultivation

Project Strategies

Select areas and seasons for trials of melon production with varieties recommended. Under
best conditions, initiate trials of varieties, including quality. Technology and varieties,
including post – harvest practices should be released to growers.

Project: Introduction and Promotion of melon cultivation in homestead and selected areas

Objectives

• To utilize marginal land in the homestead

• To promote cultivation of melon in rain-fed marginal areas
• To promote consumption requirement for water melon
• To introduce new table varieties

Promotion of Upcountry Vegetable Cultivation in the Region

Upcountry vegetable cultivation is limited to wet season and very intensive in dry season
resulting in higher market price. Inadequate supply of exotic vegetable from the region will
be overcome by introduction of protected agriculture in the area.
Project Strategy
Hi-tech Horticulture, Up country vegetable cultivation promotion under control condition
during uncongenial climatic condition to ensure year round production of such vegetables
should be facilitated through promoting cultivation under net house, poly tunnel and shade
system and poly green house. The poly – green plastic are used to cultivate vegetables. This
is very possible in Jaffna district as farmers cultivate vegetables in their homestead. Net
house cultivation is an acceptable technique to the region. To develop this method of
cultivation, a subsidy scheme will be introduced among the farmers for establishing one unit
of low, medium cost poly green house.

Project Title: Promotion of up country vegetable production

Objectives
• To promote up country vegetable.
• To facilitate year round production.
• To increase local production of upcountry vegetables

Vegetable Dehydration for Preservation in Glut Season

Project Strategy
Dehydration of vegetables under solar radiation and packing for future use is advocated for
value addition of vegetable during glut production and to increase income. Introduction of
solar dryer among vegetable producers and training on technology knowhow will provide
solution for wastage of unmarketable vegetables.

Project Title:

Development of value addition in vegetable and Supply of solar equipment for vegetable
dehydration
Objectives
• To add value to fresh vegetable
• To preserve surplus as dehydrated vegetables
• To use vegetable in off season
• To supply to food city market

Storage of Vegetables
Farmers sell vegetable at lower cost in the market as they do not want to take vegetables
back home. Vegetables can be stored in cool climate. Cooling effect for storage of vegetable
can be given by artificially made cold storage chamber so designed to keep the area cool.
This can be achieved by construction of hollow brick wall filled with moisture absorbing
material such as soil, saw dust etc and covered with cadjan thatched or straw roofing. This is
an intermediate low cost technology for vegetable storage for certain period.
Project Title:
Construction of local cold storage with intermediate technology to vegetable producers
Objectives
• To store surplus vegetables.
• To reduce losses in keeping for next day when not marketed.
• To increase income of farmers.
• To promote local storage of vegetables.
• To reduce compelling sale

Leafy Vegetable Cultivation

Promotion of leafy vegetable production is to be taken up with suitable location as demands

for leafy vegetable are increasing among the consumers. As leafy vegetables are nutritious
and contain fiber, it has to include in daily diet. Therefore a daily demand is possible.
Identify leafy vegetable home gardeners and promote them in production of leafy
vegetable.

Project Title: Promotion of leafy vegetable cultivation in home stead under sprinkler system
Objectives
• To promote leafy vegetable production through the year
• To increase the income of household
Urban Agriculture Development
Strategy– Potted Agriculture
Urbanization promote more fast food consumption and
preserved vegetable purchase and use. Vegetable
cultivation in appropriate pots filled with fertile soil is an
encouraging one to promote in urban areas where arable
lands are very inadequate for direct earth planting and
where soils are unsuitable for crop. For fresh and daily
consumption of vegetables, daily plucking of produces is
possible in potted plant cultivation system. This system is
already introduced and should be promoted in urban residential areas where soil and water
are problems.

Project Title : Urban agriculture development through potted plant development.

Objectives
• To promote urban vegetable home garden
• To make use of waste water.
• To give pleasing environment.
• To consume fresh vegetables

4.8 Diversified Alternative Farming Technology Development for Eco –

Management-Green Agriculture
Under the sustainable resource management and environment management context, Eco
friendly technology management is highly advocated in the production system. Green
farming or green agriculture is the latest concept for ecological sustainability.
4.8.1. Use of the Neem Tree as a Practical Small Farm Insecticide
A major problem in the production of vegetables in small holdings is the use of excessive
amounts of insecticides. Insecticides cost the farmer money. They are applied too frequently
which suggest that in some cases insects are becoming resistant to them. Their uses expose
workers to short and long term health hazards including chronic disease and death. New
methods of insect control are drastically needed. This problem is recognized by the DOA and
studies to alleviate it have been underway for some time.
The field of integrated pest management has developed as a sane and safer way to control
insects. One alternative method is the use of a natural insecticide. Several of these are
known, including Rotenone, Pyrethriune, Bacillus thuringensis, and Neem.
The neem tree is recommended because it is tropical, it is well adopted, it can be grown in
small farms, it is already introduced and distributed in the region, and some information on
its use has already been gained in earlier studies by the DOA. The research using neem
should be continued and intensified.

Several kinds of research with neem (Azatrica) are suggested.

1. Determine the most effective material in terms of insecticidal value. (green
leaves, mature leaves, leaves shed from the tree, seeds)
2. Develop appropriate harvest and post-harvest methods for the neem raw
material.
3. Develop several formulations of neem such as dusts and extractions reagents and
test their relative toxicity.
4. Test such formulations against crop pests.
5. Draw up recommendations for farmers on home scale production and use of
neem and press forward with the technology transfer.

Strategy:
Development of research in this direction is considered necessary and recommends
Diversified alternative farming technology of different usage.

4.8.2. I.P.M and IPNS strategy

The Farmer Field School (FFS) approach is very well acknowledged by the farmers. The
object of the project is to maximize the production at a minimum cost and simultaneously
obviate the ill effects of application of toxic chemicals. As part of IPM activities pest
surveillance should be done periodically. To train the farmers on pest surveillance and also
to train the staff in plant protection, the Plant Protection Unit should be established to help
propagation of IPM concept and a Bio- Control Agent Production Centre, has to be
established to produce and supply bio – control agent to small and marginal farmers at
reasonable cost. The production of Tricograme and Tricoderma at an established parasite
breeding centre will be focused to promote with feasibility study and the use of micro-
organism too can be exploited in the future.

4.8.3. Production of Bio-Control Material and Effective Micro Organism

Bio -control agent such as Trichograma and Trichoderma can be produced locally. The
production of this bio-control agent in pest management program is considered feasible.
The objective of this program is improving the control of pest in biological way. The
production of Trichograma was successfully implemented with IPM promotion program in
some parts of the northern region earlier.
There are several beneficial micro bacterial fungal organism found in the soil such as
Rizobium, Azetobactor, Pseudomonus, Verticeilium, Micorisa and Azola etc. This micro
organism can be produced in the suitable culture media and introduced into the soil for
further development. These are very much beneficial to farmer in fixing nitrogen in the soil
and make insoluble phosphorous into soluble form for plants to absorb easily. This will be
explored in the future.

Strategy:
Development of integrated pest management and integrated plant nutrition and diversified
alternative farming technology for sustainable eco –management

Project Title : Promotion of eco –friendly technology applications in crop cultivation

Objectives:
• To promote IPM package of practice in crop management
• To maintain pest population dynamics in natural phenomenon
• To minimize the environmental pollution
• To encourage farmers’ adoption of eco -friendly technologies.
• To reduce development of resistant tribes.

4.8.4. Nutritional Home Garden Development

Nutritional home garden development in every homestead will pave way for production of
crop produces for home needs. Effective and efficient land utilization in the homestead for
production of vegetables and fruits will be focused in rural areas.

4.9. Organic Farming and Carbonic fertilizer production

Spiraling input price, unsure market mounting debts have forced the farmers to think of
viable alternatives. Subsequently organic farming has evolved as the best solution.
Compared to inorganic farming, organic farming is within the control of the farmer as all the
basic inputs are available in the farm or in the villages. Organic product has several
advantages in health and medicine sector. Chinese practice taste for organic food and India
developed several organic products in the market. A high demand exists all over the world
for organic product not only for fresh organic produce but for value added organic product
such as organic juice, cordial and jam etc. The region’s cultivation is best described as small
farming and that is very suitable for organic cultivation. Fruits and some vegetables like long
bean, gourd and grain like pulses are cultivated with soil of inherent fertility. Hence,
development of organic farming in the region will be feasible. However, as organic farming
will affect the overall production, in the initial stage, this could be started in marginal areas
of the villages with formation of a Small Organic Farmer Association (SOFA) with farmers
who organically produced crop produces. A market will be facilitated in potential area for
organic product marketing. Criteria for organic product based on the certification standard
will be developed by the Department of Agriculture. Most of the countries have developed
standard of organic product which is varied with resource limitation and level of
harmfulness.
Organic farming development

Strategy:

Organic farming promotion is necessary to sustain the resource utilization Small scale
feature of cultivation in the region is advantageous for quick promotion to organic farming.
Organic farming will be started with small number of farmers in the villages where organic
manure such as cow dung and bio- mass and farm yard manure are freely available until the
market gets prominent and demand created.

Project Title:

Development of organic farming and carbonic fertilizer production in the region

Objectives

• To introduce organic way of crop cultivation in the villages

• To promote the organic crop production.
• To develop the organic market in the region
• To improve quality supply in competitive market
• To promote commercial organic farming
• To promote carbonic fertilizer usage in crop cultivation.
 Chapter – 5
Cultivation of Aromatic Crops
Sri Lanka is popular for its production of spice crops. Cinnamon,
cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, pepper, coffee and citronella are some of
the aromatic crops being cultivated in wet zone and these are called
minor export crops. The demand for spice crops in the world market is
high and Sri Lanka’s production of spices is not quite enough to meet
South Asian regional demand for cinnamon, cloves and cardamom.
Though the spices are grown in intermediate zone with average rainfall
more than 1500 mm / annum, these crops have been proved to have
been grown in the dry zone under coconut plantation. About 8000 ha
of well grown coconut plantation exist in the region. This plantation sector can be explored
to the cultivation of cinnamon, cardamom, Pepper and coffee for self sufficiency and with
time for export with quality production.

There is a necessity to grow more spice crops for export to the global markets. This can only
be achieved by getting the peasant sector involved in producing spices.

5.1. Potential for Cultivation of aromatic crop in the region

Some of the aromatic crops have already been cultivated and found successful in the region.
The possibility for further promotion is to be explored.

Cinnamon
There is a great potential in increasing exports of cinnamon, pepper
and cloves as there is a ready market for these spices in the world
markets.
World trade in cinnamon (cinnamon esculantum) is around 12,000 to
13,000 tons, Cassia cinnamon is traded to the extent of 65,000 to
75,000 tons. An increase in production in the country can easily take a
good share of the cassia trade.

Pepper

World trade in pepper has been around 200,000 to 250,000 tons. Sri Lanka’s export is less
than 4% of the world trade. Production of pepper and cinnamon could be easily marketed to
double or even treble the present quantity being exported. Regional coconut plantation
areas can be utilized for pepper cultivation

Cloves

Practically all cloves from the country are exported to India, because Sri Lanka enjoys a tariff
free entry into India as against a 35% tariff into India from other origins. Sri Lanka exports
have been around 2,500 to 4,000 tons annually to India. The demand in India is around
10,000 to 12,000 tons annually.
5.2. Cultivation of Betel
Traditionally and culturally people use betel for chewing and for
religious ritual activities. Hence it becomes an important leaf for
community. The region is famous for the cultivation of betel especially
in the Jaffna district. The betel produced in the district has unique
aroma and pungency and has high demand for national market.
Recently, due to fungal disease, the production has been declined and
further, transport constraint to outside market affected the quality of
production and management. The potential for export of betel to South
East Asian Countries like Pakistan and India exists. Hence, expansion of
betel cultivation in the region as commercial cultivation for export and as homestead level
cultivation for local needs will be encouraged in future.

Cultivation of Aromatic Crops

Project Title: Promotion of Betel Cultivation as Second Perennial Crop.

Project Strategy
Development of betel planting material production and supply to household
Objectives

• To promote betel cultivation in homestead

• To organize betel marketing
• To introduce betel in the international market

5.3. Spice Crop Cultivation

Cinnamon, pepper, coffee and citronella are successfully cultivated in the dry zone. There
are varieties suitable for dry zone cultivation. Cinnamon and pepper are cultivated recently
in Kilinochchi and produced cured cinnamon bark and cured pepper which are quite similar
to the production in intermediate zone. The coffee variety “san raman” has already
performed well in the dry zone and pepper has already been cultivated under coconut
plantation. Therefore, possibility of expanding cinnamon and pepper cultivation is feasible
in the region.

Project title: Introduction of Spice Crop in Home Garden

Project Strategy

Cultivation of cinnamon and pepper under coconut plantation and in household can boost
income of household and rural employment.

Project title: Supply of aromatic plants to household and training on spice seasoning

Objectives

• To promote cultivation of aromatic crop in homestead

• To promote local production of spice product.
• To achieve self sufficiency in spice product.
5.3.1. Cultivation of Cinnamon

Crop cinnamon has already been started cultivating in the region and production of bark is
success in trial level. Action will be taken to promote this crop in the future

Project Title: Explore the possibility of cinnamon cultivation at home stead.

Objectives

• To promote cinnamon cultivation and its technology

• To initiate cottage industry for cinnamon production
• To compete with national market

5.3.2. Cultivation of pepper

Black and green pepper has been cultivated under shade condition of the coconut
plantation successfully. The possibility of this crop expansion in homestead level for
domestic purpose is to be explored and to commercial level with study of economic
feasibility.

Project Title: Explore the possibility of pepper cultivation and Supply of pepper plants to
homestead

Objectives

• To meet the local requirement

• To promote commercial cultivation
• To utilize land under coconut plantation
 Chapter – 6

Agriculture Related Enterprises Development

Agriculture and Agro- based industrial enterprise will be a platform for industrial
development. Initially agriculture related enterprise support activities will base for micro-
level agro-based production enterprise development and eventually be supportive to major
export market enterprise. In this regard, the agricultural and industrial sectors will need to
expand in a balanced fashion supportive of one another. Efforts of converting agricultural
produces into higher value- added industrial products, particularly for export market will be
enhanced through micro scale enterprises. To promote agro- based industries in the rural
sector, specific incentives will have to be considered. Emphasis will also be given to the
supply of adequate and competitively priced raw materials, intensification of agricultural
downstream processing technology and activities, and the involvement of rural labour force
in agro- based industries.
There are many agriculture crop management related activities which give considerable
income to the people. Farm workers and disadvantaged people and even youngsters can
undertake economic activities which help improve their economic status. Some of the
activities not only support for income generation but support for eco-friendly technology
adoption by the crop producers. These can be categorized as fertilizer and agro-chemical
related activities.

6.1. Fertilizer Related Activities

Use of bio-mass as fertilizer was a traditional practice before introduction of artificial

fertilizer. Crop production improvement technology development and subsequent adoption
of technology gradually replaced traditional practices in crop cultivation consequently
increased production whilst deteriorating environment.

Considering the ill-effect of conventional crop cultivation practices using resource demand
technology, the trend is reverse back to the application of traditional practice in modernized
form under sustainable concept. This resulted in an encouragement within the farming
community in preparation and application of bio- related product. These are in the form of
bio-fertilizer, bio-fuel, and bio-pesticide in farming practices. This trend paved way for
enterprise initiative on bio – product preparation.

6.1.1. Bio-fertilizer/Carbonic fertilizer Production

Use of bio-fertilizer should be advocated and establishment of bio-fertilizer production units

is to be implemented. Use of bio-fertilizer is an essential practice for sustainable agriculture
development in view of maintaining productivity of natural resources. Solid waste
management, the biggest menace for environment is supported by bio –fertilizer
production.
Strategy -Compost Making
Crop residues, green and dried bio-masses can be used for
making compost- a carbonic bio-fertilizer effectively
utilized for improving Soil Organic Matter in the soil.
Composting technology knowhow is very simple and can
be produced locally. Compost making as a profitable
venture is ideal for vulnerable and under privileged group
trained for making compost. A bag of compost can be sold at a reasonable price to home
gardeners and the well compost can be applied directly to the soil. The compost (carbonic
fertilizer) is also called as soil ameliorant. By use of compost, soil texture is improved in such
a way for easy intake of micro and macro nutrients by the plant. Integrated plant nutrient
system for effective plant nutrient intake management is promoted by the compost
application in the soil. This enterprise can be promoted to commercial production. For home
stead level production, compost bins are avilable to be supplied.

Project

Promotion of Compost Making as Small Enterprise for income generation.

Objectives

• To promote income through sale of compost.

• To facilitate assistance to encourage compost making.
• To reduce environmental pollution
• To make use of compostable materials as crop manure
• To make compost preparation as a small Enterprise /venture
• To encourage compost making among population

Wormy Compost preparation

Project Strategy

Excreta of soil worms are utilized as manure growing of soil warms for preparation of
compost, so called wormy compost. This too can become an enterprise in the rural areas.
Certain species of worm will produce its excreta after consumption of humus. These excreta
are rich in nutrient in readily available form for easy absorption by the plant. As such, this
mixture of soil and worms excreta is used as fertilizer.
Cultivation of worm in an acre of land produces two metric tons of wormy compost which is
equal to 100 kg of Urea, 150 kg of Potash and 75 kg of Phosphorous in addition to the
presence of other major micro-elements. Introduction of wormy compost preparation in the
DATC and show farmer the technology knowhow will be activated.

Project Title: Promotion of wormy compost making units in house hold

Objectives

• To train people on wormy compost preparation technology

• To assist to engage in wormy compost preparation.
Compost Competition

Collection of garbage and composting can be done to prevent environment pollution and
health hazard. Compost making competition among urban local bodies can be attractive for
development of compost making. Cash prize can be awarded to encourage the endeavor of
each municipality in the production of maximum quantity and quality compost. Department
of Agriculture will coordinate to promote compost making in household level with local
government.

Project Title

Conduct compost making competition.

6.2. Agrochemical Related Activities

Bio-pesticide Production

Project Strategy

Many crop plants have chemical compounds having harmful effect to pest. Some of such
chemical compound in plant has aggressive/repulsive effect to most of the pests. Aroma of
the chemical compound chases away the pest from entering into its aromatic area. The
technology has now developed to make use of the chemical in the plants as pest repellant in
managing pest population in crop production area. Technology on utilization of such
chemical as spray on the plant is simple and can be handled by any villagers. However,
instant preparation is necessary before spraying as bio-pesticide as it cannot be stored for
more than 3 days. The neem tree is having such chemical properties to be used as pesticide.

Preparation of chemical compound as liquid spray for sale is an effective income generation
activity. Application of this type of bio-pesticide is not costly despite necessity of repeated
spray and is eco friendly. Promotion of preparing bio-pesticide by use of advance technology
will lead to chemical free crop production in future.

Farmers and farm workers will be trained in the technology knowhow of preparing bio-
chemical and facilities will be provided for such preparation. Bio product will be prepared on
demand and need of the bio-chemical amount and type of chemical as the product should
be app-lied soon after preparation. The farmers can make an agreement with producer
beforehand.

Project Title; Development of bio-pesticide production units in the villages

Objectives

• To promote preparation of bio-pesticide.

• To promote use of bio- chemical application in pest management
• To increase the income of producer
• To promote eco-friendly technology application
• To minimize environmental pollution
6.3. Value Addition Related Activities
Project Strategy

Crop product can be added value for better marketing and easy consumption. This can be
explored in promotion of marketing and increase of income producer.
Facilitate agro-based enterprise development through value addition training to potential
youth and household women. Extension of value addition technology among farmers and
youth and women headed families will pave way for cottage level enterprise development

Project Title: Agro-based Enterprise Development

Objectives

• To promote technology knowhow in value addition of crop produces.

• To facilitate value added product preparation in homestead.
• To promote consumption pattern of crop produces.
• To preserve crop produces in home without degradation.
• To promote economic utilization of crop produces.
• To reduce loss of nutrition of crop produces.

6.4. Floriculture Development

Home beautification becomes an essential phenomenon for healthy and pleasurable
environment. Department has developed several kinds of flowers for cut flower and house
ornamental plants. Floriculture has become an enterprise which fetches high profit for
producers in the country. Bouquet flower production is gaining market in the region.

Encouraging widows and disadvantaged groups in the production of cut flowers and
ornamental plants in homestead level with training on technology knowhow can be
facilitated by Department of Agriculture. Small scale flower production and garland
preparation fetch considerable income to families. This sector will address the problem of
scattered vulnerability to improve their livelihood.

Project Title:

Establishment of ornamental plant production and cut flowers units in household and
commercial basis.

Objectives

• To promote income sources among people.

• To encourage export of cut flowers.
• To encourage bouquet making in homestead.
6.5. Development of Apiculture for Production of Honey

Project Strategy

Honey is ever demanded by the people as a medicine and as a food ingredient. People
obtain honey from bee colonies naturally formed developed in the jungle. However,
productions of honey are very much attractive under coconut plantation and other intensive
plantation of fruit crops. The honey production can be developed in the region in the
homestead level.

People who are interested will be trained and supplied with necessary beehives and other
equipment. This will give advantage to vulnerable groups to engage in honey production
too.

Training on beehive management and honey production will be given. Supply of bee boxes
will be facilitated by arranging with manufacturer.

Project Title : Development of Honey Production Units.

Objectives

• To promote honey production in areas possible.

• To facilitate honey production activities.
• To increase income of the producers

6.6. Mush room Cultivation

Mushroom is a very nutritious food and has high demand
in hotel industry. There are several types of mushrooms.
Some have medicinal properties and some have adverse
health and lethal properties. However, edible mushrooms
have been identified and cultivated in the country. This
crop is rich in protein and other elements preferable to
dietary intake for health. Department conducts
promotional program for cultivation of mushroom by
producing and supplying the mushroom seed.

This program will enhance the livelihood of vulnerable, widows and downtrodden people in
the rural and urban areas. Cottage level mush room cultivation in rural areas with market
buy back system will boost rural people’s economy. Mushroom can be sold afresh as well as
dried.

Project Title: Mushroom Production and Development

Objectives

• To promote mushroom cultivation.

• To improve mushroom cultivation technology
• To increase income of farm families
6.7. Estate crop sector development

6.7.1. Cashew Development

Sri Lanka is one of the cashew producing and exporting countries. Cashew cultivation is
prominent in Mannar district. Development of cashew plantation in the region is possible.
Prior to the conflict, the Cashew Corporation had its own farm in the district and provided
extension and other technical assistance to the cashew cultivators. This was neglected more
than 10 years due to the war situation. The Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation had its cashew
plantation farms at Kondakachchi with an extent of about 15,000 acres. And its office
building complex including residential quarters of the officers and workers were completely
destroyed. A large number of cashew plants were damaged due to lack of maintenance and
led to decline in productivity. It is estimated that nearly 100,000 kgs of cashew nuts were
obtained from Kondachchi cashew plantation farm. And another 30,000kgs cashew were
collected from cultivators in Mannar Island and Kilinochchi.

There is a definite potential for expanding the cultivation of cashew since there is a growing
demand for cashew worldwide. Sri Lanka’s share in the world market is about 0.2%.
Therefore, the chances of getting enhanced income by primary cashew producers of the
region are high. The rehabilitation and development of cashew cultivation should be aimed
at expansion of acreage under cashew plantation along with the development of cashew
processing units to create more employment. The present rate of subsidy payment of Rs.
9,500 per acre for new planting program by the government should be extended for the
rehabilitation of cashew plantations.

The strategy should promote private investors to undertake cashew plantation by providing
state land under long term lease. As cashew is a perennial crop which can survive under dry
condition, utilizing the existing forest land for cashew cultivation will not have any negative
impact on environment. Further, small holders should be encouraged to plant cashew as an
inter-crop in their homestead. Cashew Corporation should have its own nursery in Mannar
to supply planting material to needy farmers in time at the beginning of rainy season. The
office of the CDO should be strengthened through provision of office equipment, and 2 and
4 wheel vehicles and office building. Once Kondchchi farm is rehabilitated, it should be given
to private sector for management on a long term lease. This farm would supply required
raw nuts for processing and the factory can collect raw nuts from small holders too for
processing.

Cashew crop development

Project Strategy

Promotion activities for cashew cultivation in the region for identified potential area with
assistance of Cashew Corporation will be taken up. There was cashew plantation in Poonary
DS division with 150 acres of land. This will be revitalized with re-planting program.

Project Title: Re-establishment and Promotion of Cashew Plantation

Objective:

• To promote cashew plantation in potential area.

• To supply quality cashew seedling for replanting.
• To promote cottage level cashew nut separation and packing
• To promote cashew related enterprises

Project title: Expansion of cashew cultivation through Homestead Cultivation

Supply of prominent cashew seedling to household will be the way of expanding extent of
cashew cultivation and will have a mechanism of cashew nut collection system during the
fruiting season so that employment will be created.

Objectives:

• To cultivate cashew tree in the homestead.

• To encourage the cottage level cashew nut separating and packing.
• To create facility for additional income

6.8. Sugarcane cultivation and development

Project Strategy

Sugarcane can be cultivated in the uneconomic paddy land. There was a sugar cane factory
at Akkarayan area in Kilinochchi district where sugar cane was cultivated in nearly 500 ha
under irrigation and produced sugar for district needs.
Restart sugarcane cultivation with the study of economic and management feasibility to
support supplementary sugar supply and employment generation

Project Title: Revitalization of Sugarcane Cultivation in the region

6.9. Coconut Development

Coconut is essential ingredient in food preparation and use of coconut oil in the region is
abundant. Cholesterol with High Digestible Lipid is advantageous in using coconut oil in
dietary preparations. Hence, northern region has developed coconut plantation in entire
region sporadically. It was estimated that as nearly as the extent of 8000 ha were available
in the region. Due to the prolonged conflict situation in the region, about 40 percent of
plantation are at present exists. As per requirement @ 120 nuts per head, annually 76
million nuts are required for the region. Revival and rehabilitation of coconut plantation is
obviated Quick rehabilitation of the damaged plantation, supply of high quality seedling like
TR-65 and dwarf varieties are required. Coconut Development Board will be reactivated
with strengthening of staff and production units and able to supply required amount of
seedlings for renewal of plantation

6.10. Agro-forestry
Most of the economic values of perennial plants were damaged due to prolonged war and
shortage of timber wood is a constraint to speedy development of resettlement program.
Agro-forestry program is considered necessary to improve the natural vegetation in the
homestead and maintain a micro-climate for healthy environment and supply fuel wood to
household. This will alleviate the demand for fossil fuel in the future.
Project Strategy

Social forest, farm forest and community forest are stradtegy for redeeming feature of
deforestation. Supply of economic value perennial tree crop to needy household on subsidy
basis is advocated to this project.

Project Title: Community forest development at Household

Objectives

• To develop micro-climate within the household premises.

• To supply fuel wood to household.
• To reduce the deforestation effect in the environment.
• To make available timber wood in the region.
• To alleviate fossil fuel demand.

6.11. Bamboo forest plantation development

Strategy
Bamboo is wonderful gift of nature. its versatility has
given rise to use of traditional and cultural value in
countries. Bamboo is referred to as “timber for poor man”
is now being discovered as nature’s “green gold”.

It is most soft wood and are only matched in annual yield

by the fastest growing soft woods such as Eucalyptus and
radiata pine. Therefore bamboos are competitive or better
than wood alternatives in terms of annual yield, showing its potential for the future.

Bamboo is the most versatile renewable and eco friendly resource and it has industrial
potential too. China, Indonesia, Malaysia are among the countries that use bamboo in paper
pulp production- an oldest industrial use.

Since the 1990s, a wealth of new bamboo materials has become available through industrial
processing of raw culms. Many innovations in production technology led to the
development of bamboo materials with different properties and possibilities. Bamboo Mat
Board (BMB), Strand Woven Bamboo (SWB), Bamboo Particle Board (BPB), Ply Bamboo, and
Bamboo Composites are some of these products with various applications in high end
markets in the West.

Due to their high densities and annual yields, giant bamboos also have enormous potential
for production of bio fuels. The energy value of bamboo reported in the range of 16 to 20
MJ per kg by several researchers is similar to the energy content of woody biomass at 17 MJ
per kg.

In the northern region, there is ample potential to grow this woody crop in River banks,
Tank reserved lands and other areas prone to erosion. an effort to be benefitted by the vast
potential that the bamboo can offer for economical and environmental sustenance. Bamboo
will be the most promising for reforesting degraded land where trees may not survive.
However the constraint for establishing bamboo plantations was lack of good quality
propagules which can be produced bio technology concept as tissue culture.

Project: Bamboo development in marginal land

Objectives
• To make a quick green cover
• To subtitue for fossil fuel
• To use as timber for housing as alternative
• To utilize marginal land effectively

6.12. Aquaculture Development

About 11 major and 50 medium and over 500 minor tanks are at present functional. Major
and medium reservoirs are perennial tanks and the minor tanks are considered seasonal.
This situation paves the way for cultivation of seasonal and perennial fresh water. Despite
fresh water fish catching activities are activated in the recent past, continuous production is
affected by lack of fingerling supply. This has to be strengthened with steady supply of
fingerlings supply program. There are varieties of fish found in the aqua-research which can
grow rapidly and produce more weight within a short period of time. This option will be
explored.

6.12.1. Development of fingerlings production

Promotion of fresh water fish development could be feasible when a fingerlings supply
mechanism is developed. There are different types of fresh water fishes available in the
aquatic fauna. Some of them are very tasty and having fast growing ability. Seasonal fish can
grow up to 05 kg within a season. Therefore a supply system of fingerlings/fry lings will be
developed in possible locations so that a continuous supply will be assured.

Project Title: Development of hatchery pond for fingerlings supply

Objectives

• To promote supply of local fingerlings production

• To promote fresh water fish production and consumption
• To assure continued supply of fingerlings to seasonal and perennial tanks
• To increase income of fishermen
 Chapter – 7

Agricultural Marketing
Market infrastructure plays a pivotal role in fostering and sustaining the tempo of rural and
economic development. Marketing is a process which starts with a decision to produce a
saleable farm commodity and it involves all the aspects of market structure or system and
includes pre and post harvest operations such as assembling, grading, storage,
transportation and distribution. By performing this operation on farm product, it adds value
to the produce. Marketing is as important to better performance in agriculture as farming
itself. So Due consideration will be given to market development in the region to rural,
regional and national market contribution. Market net work system keeping in mind with
the small scale farmers in modern agric-food system has to go with regoverning market
program. Proper consideration should be given to four key concepts: concept of modern
market, value chain approach, Institutions and policies and multi- stake holder processes.

Modern market are associated with today’s large scale supermarket and whole sale
operation and demand for such market is for large volume and low price produce that
meets stringent quality and safety standard.

Value chain perspective has become recent international agriculture development strategy
which includes all the activities that are undertaken in transforming raw material into a
product that is sold and consumed. This includes the direct functions of primary production
collection, processing, wholesale and retailing as well as support functions such as input
supply financial service, transport, packaging and advertising.

Institution and policies are implicitly and explicitly agreed way of interacting that governs
individual and collective behavior at different scale. So a wider institutional environment
should be developed.

Multi-stakeholder processes is referring to any set of activities that enable different groups
to interact with each other for shared learning, joint decision-making and collective action.
This is not a one-off events but rather a series of activities carried over time for win-win
benefit.

Core methodology involves six main activities in market development. This six activities
come together to help understand how different policies and institutions are opening up or
closing off opportunities for small scale producers across an entire value chain. With this
understanding it is then possible to devise and advocate for changes that would support
appropriate participation by small scale producers these changes may relate to government
policies and support programmes, to the ways producers organize themselves, or to the
contract and payment conditions for producers set by market retailers. In most situations,
multiple approaches will be required.
The six main activities are:

• Mapping out the value chain and identifying the main actors and the flows of
products, money and information. It will often be important to understand where
along the chain most value is created and how profit is made by different actors.
• Mapping key policies and institutions that influence the functioning of the value
chain and the inclusion or exclusion of small- scale producers.
• Establishing the key drivers, trends and issues affecting the value chain and its
actors. Drivers are the main external factors influencing change: trends are the
directions of change in the chain, such as types of producers, prices or marketing
channels. The issues are the positive or negative implications of the trends for the
different actors in the chain.
• Exploring future scenarios in relation to uncertainties about drivers and trends and
understanding the future implications for the value chain, its actors and the inclusion
of small – scale producers.
• Identifying the options for better inclusion of small – scale producers.

• Developing strategies for supporting change of policies and institutions within the
public, private and civil society sectors.

Fig15: analytical frame work for mapping and influencing policies and institution in
dynamic agri food marketing

PLANNING THE PROCESS

1 MAPPING AND UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE CHAIN

Current How Arrangements Influencing

Structure things might supportive actors in the
change of inclusion chain

3 4 5 6

Drivers, FUTURE OPTIONS FOR STRATEGIES

TRENDS, SCENARIOS FOR GREATER FOR
ISSUES AND MARKETS AND INCLUSION SUPPORTING
OPPORTUNITIES INCLUSION CHANGE

1 MAPPING AND UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE CHAIN

Current How Institutional Influencing

Structure things might implications/ institutional
change requirements change

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

7.1. Present Constraints in Marketing in the region

The prolonged war and crisis situation in the region and policy changes had caused damaged
to market infrastructure and its safety network. Close down of paddy marketing system is
one example.

• Rural-regional- national market net-work and farmers participation in the market

development has been derelict.
• Market value chain and supply chain was neglected or ruined. Farmers have their
own marketing and production system.
• No supply / value chain approach and integration.
• No social institutionalization for collective decision in coping with production and
market challenges and dyanamics.

Therefore, a complete regoverning of market system in the region in view of emerging trend
of global market has to be planned for peasant sector who are not prepared for global
changes and in ways that contribute to the resilience of rural economy. Actors in the agric
food market and value chain integration do not get opportunities to talk with each other on
market issues. Key drivers of vertical integration is seen as quality and safety of food.

Given the dynamic and rapid transformation, public sector interventions aiming at
increasing the inclusion of small scale producers in the newly evolving market structure will
require an in-depth understanding of

• Underlying drivers and trends behind this change

• incentives driving actors behavior
• institutions enabling this change to take place

To understand the dynamic of the agric-food sector in a particular country or defined region
understanding of drivers of change and trend they creates is necessary. Drivers of market in
global and domestic vary. This includes push and pull factors, however, Pull or demand
driven socio economic factors might be real per capita income growth. Push factors includes
modern private sectors’ procurement system.

Influencing factors driving agric-food market

• Change of consumer demand and awareness

• Market liberalization and deregulation
• Competition among retailers
• Quality and food safety standard
• Social and environmental responsibility
• Information technology

Domestic drivers influencing agric-food market

• Foreign direct investment rules and taxation

• National trade policies
• Domestic regulation traditional whole sale and retail out lets
• Type of retail outlets
To develop of both export and domestic marketing in the region, market institutions and
institutionalization for sustainable market access and improving stages in market
concentration process and development is imperative. The Nothern regional market at
present has been characterized as fragmented market with traditional whole sale and
independent retail outlets. The present emerging trend in marketing is

• Market concentration
• Develop centralized procurement
• Specialized wholesalers
• Preferred suppliers
• Public and private standard
• Price
• Penetration into lower socio economic market segment

The knowledge on the market system in the regional productive sector population has been
very poor and the present position of marketing for agriculture is described.

7.1.1. Paddy Marketing

Paddy marketing has been one of the major constraints for paddy producers resulting in the
realization that paddy cultivation is not a profitable venture. Paddy farmers are unable to
market with optimum price and compelled for distress sale. The private millers,
Multipurpose Co- operative Societies and the PMB were the main actors in the paddy
marketing value chain before the conflict. The government closed down the PMB. The
MPCSs have lost their capital assets, transport Lorries, stores facilities and are unable to be
involved actively in paddy purchasing. The banks are reluctant to provide loan for working
capital without sufficient collateral facilities. There were about 50 private standard rice mills
functioning before the conflict and most of them have been curtailed its activities due to
unpredictable situation. At present, only a few mills have been renovated and restarted
processing in a limited scale. Government intervention in paddy purchasing through
Agrarian Development Department is very limited in the region.

7.1.2. OFC and Horticultural Crop Marketing

Poorly developed market infrastructure affected the subsidiary food crop sector
development in the region. Renovation and Rehabilitation of rural roads network and its link
with rural markets and urban markets is necessary catalyst for crop production
enhancement and paving the way for latent potential to expand vegetable and fruit
production in the rural areas. This constraint can be addressed properly through private and
public partnership that could facilitate better marketing infrastructure. Further, it will create
a close link between the producers and traders. Private investors and the entrepreneurs
should be encouraged to involve in the market value chain.

7.1.3. Market Institutionalization and participation

Institutional development of both public and social institutions is vital for speedy market
economic development. Social participation, public facilitation, private investments are the
three main pillars upon which market development will be built. Marketing is a main forum
for production. Present market system is not effectively institutionalized and price and
supply gap between producer and end user is very wide. Establishment of proper market
network system in such a way to have high producer participation in the market is strategic
way to streamline the major bottleneck in marketing. Rural small scale producers should
have facilities for storage and transport to ride out seasonal price fluctuation and make up
for site –specific price discrepancies. This can be facilitated with community storage
establishment and pledge market system development through market institutionalization.

The aim of market institutionalization is to provide opportunity for participation of small

scale producers in dynamic local and national market and in the way that food supply chain
are governed and develop small scale farmers resilience to all market matters in the region
which support the livelihood of majority of rural poor who are not prepared for market
changes. Users may be market actors interested in creating direct link with small scale
suppliers and government policy makers tasked with rural development.

Cooperative governance in institutionalization is advocated as prospective as to cover

“inclusive” and “exclusive” farming community. There were Agriculture Cooperative
Societies in the region However, some are defunct and disorganized. Revitalizing and
strengthening of Agriculture Cooperative and Marketing Society is one focal point for
market institutionalization.

7.1.4. Market Coordination

Coordination of market activities with the market actors, supporters and service providers is
major function of public institution. This function is not at all implemented by the provincial
department due lack of personnel qualified in this direction. There should be a separate unit
in the Department of Agriculture to carry out market function such as handling coordination
for backward and forward linkages and market technology dissemination. As such,
Establishment of Product market and Information Unit in the Department of Agriculture to
achieve the objective of market coordination, streamline and regulate agricultural crop
production for the benefit of the farming community will be envisaged. Publicity and
propaganda, market survey, dissemination of market technology and also development of
practice of commercial grading of crop produce at farm and market level will help to get
remunerative price for crop produce. This unit will handle the marketing aspect of crop
produces and market institutionalization and its trouble shooting etc. A cooperative market
society is suggested to be formed.

7.2. Market Development Strategy

Agric food sector has been transforming from largely supply driven to demand driven. This
change demands a change of governance structure and quality and safety requirement.
Agric food sector is now often characterized by both horizontal and vertical concentration-
This concentration is critical in balancing market efficiency and fair competition. More
centralized and consolidated produces and supplies or process will generally be preferred.
Good organization and coordination between chain actors is a crucial element of value chain
development.

Produce - seller - end-user link determines the economic resilience to producer and
consumer. The higher the supply chain, lower the economic profit to producer. The strategy
will focus on economic broadly finding practical way to enhance opportunities for small
scale farmers in marketing benefit to producer. For sustainable participatory marketing,
market institutionalization with corporate social responsibility strategy is focused
“Cooperative marketing” is one such strategy suggested in this plan to be promoted.
Formation of agriculture producers’ cooperatives society as an initiative and basic driver of
the market institution process in the region at different levels and forming a federated
cooperative at district level is considered. The formation of Regional Agriculture
Cooperative Alliance (RACA) in the region is also advocated as an apex regulatory body.

7.2.1. Establishment of Cooperative Production and Marketing System

Institutionalization in crop production and marketing is well known strategy in many

countries. Earlier in the region there were about 29 agriculture cooperative societies formed
in each divisional secretariat division and looked after the matters relating to agriculture
production and marketing. Some of these cooperative societies are disorganized and
defunct but a few are functioning with limited resources but not supportive to goods and
services to crop product marketing. Revitalization and reorganizing of agriculture
cooperative societies with membership drive and preparation of by-laws to accommodate
functions in relation to goods and services for agriculture production and marketing will be
strengthened.

Project Strategy

Market institutionalization is a strategy for regulated market development

Project title: Establishing and strengthening Agriculture Cooperative Societies.

Objectives
• To institutionalize the marketing
• To regularize resource mobilization, input supply and product market
• To promote market-led crop production
• To promote public and private market participation and investments
• To operate agri-business more efficiently
• To develop self reliance in production and marketing
• To facilitate formation of cooperative alliance
• To empower cooperative governance in production and marketing
• To ensure fair market access to all strata of the farming community

Federated Cooperative Society

Regulated marketed will be established in each district for whole sale. Federated
Agriculture cooperative society in district and regional level will regulate whole sale and
retail supply to district and national market. This body can act as market regulatory body in
consultation with Department of Agriculture and Agriculture Cooperative Alliance. This
cooperative body will also regulate quality and quantity production of market -led crops
with assistance of the Department of Agriculture. No middlemen will be allowed to operate
in the regulated market. The local government can play a vital role in the marketing system.
Agriculture Cooperative Alliance

Federated cooperative society will have to establish RACA as a high level market committee
for the region. This will have a forum with provision for the producers and traders on equal
footing for marketing of agricultural produces in the regulated market. The high level
market committee membership will be decided in a forum in collaboration with the
federation. Expenditure to be incurred by market committee in pursuit of regulatory action
can be worked out as a percentage of the value of the produces transacted as market fee
from the traders.

High Level Market Committee

A high level committee on agricultural marketing may be constituted with public- private-
producers’ representation. This committee can act as trouble shooting committee when the
dispute arises by cooperative society and they also suggest advice on forming a regulatory
market act. This will be formed by the provincial administration in case of provincial
marketing.

Establishment of Marketing Board

Establishment of Provincial Agricultural Marketing Board to have regulatory functions and

also for making standards for commercial grading which will be considered for quality
supply of goods and services. Laboratory facilities will be facilitated by provincial
administration with the Department of Agriculture and related public organizations for
quality testing. This marketing board may be either administrated by state or have
independent function with the finance derived from the market development fund of the
market institutions.

7.3. Market system Development

Establishment of a three tier market system at National –Regional – Retail/ village level and
street market for travelers is possible options for systematic marketing in different
administrative area. National level market will handle wholesale and export activities and
regional level will handle local distribution and village or street market will be the individual
market regulated by village level committee. Regulated markets with sub-markets and Rural
Go downs and Grading Centre will be established and these market units will be managed
by federated cooperative committee. A forum will be provided for the producers and
traders on equal footing for marketing of agricultural produces in the regulated market.

1. Regulated market

Project Strategy

Establishment and maintenance of regulated market in order to regulate buying and selling
of agriculture produce for the benefit of farming community through cooperative marketing
system. This will be facilitated by local government in collaboration with Department of
Agriculture and cooperative market committee

Project title: Establishment of Regulated Market

Objectives

• To reorganize agriculture Marketing.

• To regulate product marketing, quality and safety.
• To establish three tier regulated market.
• To promote participation of producers in marketing
• To improve marketing condition for both advantage and disadvantage group.

Pledge Loan system for distress sale

Under any market system, distress sale by the small and medium farmers in the peak season
cannot be avoided but can be minimized by establishing pledge loan facilities. Under this
scheme, the farmers can store their agriculture produce in the rural go-down in community
storages built for this purpose in each division, for a specified period which can be decided
by the committee and take pledge loan on decision of the committee. However, the rate is
permissible to be 50 -75% of the value of produce up-to a certain maximum as and when
decided. Amount and interest rate can be decided by the committee. This can be facilitated
either by Agriculture Cooperative Society or Commodity Based Producers’ Societies.

Project Strategy

Formation of Commodity Based Producers’ Society in relation to production control and

market price decision coordinating with Cooperative society and other input supply
arrangement is needed to regularize crop production among the farming community and
supply to market demand. Strengthening of already fragile societies will be facilitated for
proper functioning of the system. Since societies newly formed will not be in a position to
develop pledge loan system, the facilities required will be given to societies in the
strengthening process.

Project: Establishment of Producers’ Society and Strengthening

Objectives

• To strengthen the functions of societies with provision of facilities.

• To enhance group action in production and regularize market system.
• To promote market–led crop production and supply.
• To coordinate among producers and marketers
• To establish appropriate organizational frame work for community based planning
and resource management
• To position service system appropriate to resource management and production

7.3.1. Contract Arrangement in Marketing

Forward Sale contract arrangement system has been already established in marketing of
certain production. However, based on types of contract arrangements, the cooperative
societies can make contract arrangement with wholesale buyers. The following strategy will
be applicable for such contract arrangement.

Market Specification Contract

This operates based on future purchase contract considering the quantity, quality, time and
price at the time of purchase.
Resource Providing Contract
In this system, selected crop will be cultivated and if necessary credit and technology service
will be facilitated. Here even qualities will be the factor to be considered.

Production management contract

Farmers will produce the commodity with credit support for production management such
as for input accessibility and labor which will be looked after by contractors.
The following types of contract farming may be considered for the region.

• Centralized model
• Nucleus estate model
• Multipartite model
• Intermediary model

Producers’ societies on behalf of farmers can make contract arrangement appropriate to the
producers capabilities and capacities. At the present situation, the last model will be
adoptable in the region.

Market Institutionalization - A Conceptual Perspective

Functions Institution Responsibility

Provincial / state level
Coordination, regularize Trouble shooting, dispute
export and import market Market committee/ Cooperative resolution, control national
and maintain standard Alliance/Marketing board market

Regularize whole sale Market subcommittee/ Control local market

market and supply among Federated cooperatives
district

Regulate production and Agriculture producers society Productions integration,

determine & selling price /Cooperative society dispute resolution
Coordination & linkages
contract arrangement

Regulate production at Agriculture Production Dispute handling

divisional level-input and Society/Commodity based
market coordination society

Regulate production at Village Farmer Society/Village Resource utilization &

village level- inputs agric committee management
coordination

Supply to village Individual Producers Quality and safety of

Market/ Rural go down production
 Chapter- 8

Seed and Planting Material Production and Development

Seed is supreme and the basic element of crop production. Seedling vigor depends on the
seed itself. Higher the seedling vigor better the crop performance, therefore use of quality
seed is indispensable for better crop. In the region, seed requirement for cultivation is much
more than that of seed production and supply through present seed production system.
Traditionally farmers have developed reliability in its quality on the seeds supplied by
department when comparing with private seed supply. However, the seed policy of the
department is to facilitate development of private seed industry with the supply of basic or
foundation seeds required by private industry. It is experienced in the other regions that the
market of seeds by private seed producers would eventually become monopoly and
consequently price of seeds are subject to increase with demand. This is especially crucial to
vegetable seeds.

Status of Seed and Planting Material production in the North

In the northern region, two Government Seed Production Farms are available for production
of seeds and planting material to cater supply to farmers in the region. These two farms are
located in Kilinochchi and Vavuniya. The farm at Vavuniya has been functioning at present
and producing seeds and planting materials for the supply to regional requirements. There
is another seed paddy production farm at Murunkan in Mannar District

Seed production in GSPF Kilinochchi

Farm at Kilinochchi was affected due to prolonged war situation and has been defunct. This
farm has nearly 125 acres of paddy land and 25 acres of high land for seed production with
irrigation facility from the major irrigation scheme and a minor scheme located near the
farm. And the farm at Vavuniya has 40 acres of paddy land and 20 acres of high land for
seed production and 05 acre with nucleus mother plants for planting material production. In
the past, the farm in Kilinochchi was the major supplier of paddy, OFC and vegetable seeds
to north and also to other districts in the east and south region. This farm had the potential
of producing 10, 000 bushels of seed paddy and 10,000 kg of OFC seeds and 1000 kg of
vegetable seeds with storage facilities. Rehabilitation of this farm will facilitate to produce
required seeds of all crops. As this farm is located in an isolated area, production of
genetically pure seeds will be maintained.

Seed production at GSPF in Vavuniya

The GSPF in Vavuniya has been functioned with full fledge facilities and producing
necessary seeds and planting materials to the extent possible to cater the seed supply
service in the region but this production serve only 5% of the total requirement of the
region. Hence, Rehabilitation of the farm (GSPF) at Kilinochchi to increase the supply of
seeds to farmers is necessary.
Seed production in Mannar

To cater farmers in Mannar Seed production farm with seed cleaning and sorting facilities
are existing in Murunkan DS division. Seed production should be reactivated in the farm by
the provision of staff and other facilities to seed and planting material division.

8.1. Seed Production

Strengthening Seed Production

Production of seeds in the Government Seed Production Farm to supply certified seeds to
both seed producers and farmers in need are facilitated by the department. Registered
seeds will be supplied by the department to private seed producers. It is experienced in the
other region that the market of seeds by private seed producers would eventually become
monopoly and subsequently price of seeds will go racketeering especially vegetable seeds.
The function of government seed production farm is continuously vital in producing seeds to
avoid such development of monopolistic seed sale to people in the region. Further,
production local vegetable seeds which are exclusively meant to the region should be done
in the seed farm. As vegetable seeds production is very costly, private vegetable seeds
production will not be at affordable price for society. Therefore, the rehabilitation of seed
production farms for potential seeds production will be implemented.

Projects

1. Strengthening of Government Seed Production Farm at Vavuniya.

Strengthening of seed production farm with irrigation infrastructure, modernized cultivation

practices, renovation of damaged infrastructure such as drying floor and cold storage,
renovation of office buildings and livestock infrastructures is necessary to effective increase
the seed production from the present level, of production etc

Objectives

• To increase seed production from present level

• To modernize seed production for effective utilization of resource
• To improve storage facilities and cold storage.

2. Rehabilitation of Government Seed Production Farm at Kilinochchi.

GSPF located in this district have been completely damaged resulting in a necessity of
complete rehabilitation from land development up to infrastructure development to
reactivate seeds production farming activities in this farm.

Objectives

• To produce basic seed to supply seed producers

• To render seed and planting material supply service in the region
• To supply registered seed paddy to private seed producers
• To render service to sorting and cleaning of seeds
• To strengthen seed supply by the Department of Agriculture
 3. Rehabilitation of Murunkan Seed Production Farm

8.1.1. Seed Industry Development

Use of quality seeds by total farmers cannot be achieved over short period. it can only be
achieved by local seed production. Institutionalization of local private seed production is a
strategic approach to overcome seed supply problem Basing Seed Act no 22 of 2003 to the
private seed production development policy, Local seed production as a private enterprise
will be facilitated through formation of seed producers’ association in the districts leading
the formation of Regional Seed Producers Society. Each district will have seed processing
unit for sorting and cleaning of seed produced. Despite this system establishment in
Kilinochchi and Mannar by FAO in 1995, strengthening and follow-up action had not been
taken place by the project resultant the collapse of system. This system will be followed to
be strengthened and developed the seed industry in the region.

Establishment of Seed Production Units by Producers’ Society

Seed industry development program will be implemented with seed producers with the
supply of registered seeds for production of standard certified seed. In each D.S. Division,
seed producers’ society will be formed and facilitated to produce good quality seeds by
technology dissemination.

Project Title: Establishment of Seed production local Units in each district

Objectives

• To promote the use of quality seed in crop cultivation.

• To develop seed production and supply system among farming community
• To produce local seeds in each locality.

Self seed production and development

Project Strategy

Achieving the objective of increasing productivity by promoting use of quality seed and
required variety by all farmers is only possible by the promotion of self seed production. The
concept is to supply of mini-kits consisting of seeds and fertilizer package among the
farmers to produce their own quality seed from their small piece of land with adoption of
seed production technology. Farmers unable to buy quality seeds at higher price can be
assisted to produce their own seeds by this program implementation.

Project title; Supply of mini-kits with basic seeds and fertilizer for self seed production

Objectives

• To promote use of quality seed in crop production

• To make farmers to produce their own quality seeds
• To spread the seed production technology among poor farmers
Establishment of Seed Processing Unit

Project Strategy
Quality seed production needs mechanical processing to remove unwanted materials such
as chaff, small stone and weed seed to maintain the standard of the seed. Seed cleaning and
sorting machine is necessary in each district for processing of seeds produced by the seed
producers’ association. Further, varietal purity of seed is another concern. Sorting out of
offspring can be done only manual by in the laboratory after harvest and in the field before
harvest by routine inspection. Therefore, the laboratory facilities also will be improved.

Objectives
• To facilitate seed processing in the district
• To reduce the quantity of seed paddy usage for an acre.
• To maintain the standard of seed paddy and OFC seeds
• To strengthen laboratory testing with provision of equipment.

8.2. Planting Material Production

At present in the region, variety of fruit trees are managed by the house hold farmers
leading diversity in fruits production. This situation will not be a conducive to promote
quality fruit production. Development of good quality fruits for processing and export
orientation needs renewal of fruit trees in existing area with high quality plants to improve
the quality fruits production and to replant in the area where the fruits trees were damaged
by the war situation.

Hence, the quality planting material production and maintenance of mother plants for
pedigree development is major requirement for fruit production improvement. Government
production is not quite enough to supply the current needs. The establishment of private
nursery units in each DS division to produce with high quality planting material will facilitate
needy people an easy access to purchase quality planting materials.

1. Establishment of Private Nursery Units

Project Strategy
Planting material needs careful transportation to the planting point. The more the distance
to be transported the more liable to be damaged. As such facilitating planting material
production in local area with monitoring and supervision for standard production by
department is recognized as one activity for promotion of quality planting material
production.

Objectives
• To promote availability of quality planting material in the locality
• To create an employment opportunity.
• To facilitate farm hand for income generation.
• To develop competiveness in production.

2. Identification of mother plants and maintenance

Extension in collaboration with research will take action to identify nucleus mother plants
and maintain detail list of mother plants. Private Nurserymen are facilitated by the
department for obtaining good quality budding and grafting material for planting material
production.
 Chapter - 9

Water Resource Management

The water is a precious resource for every living organism and indispensable for agriculture
crop cultivation. Land and water are the dominant resource for food production. The per
capita water availability is estimated at only 0.01 cubic feet in the region. The conservation,
development and management of water sources to attain increased productivity per unit
area of the land and unit volume of water used is of paramount importance in the region to
a future crop development program.

Rain water is reserved in water reservoirs in different capacities. Water reservoirs are
categorized into perennial and seasonal reservoirs Most of the Minor schemes are season
reservoirs. Available water in these reservoirs is used for crop cultivation. The rain water is
harvested in Jaffna district with ponds and act as minor water reservoir from which
cultivators irrigate their crop when needed. This man-made water harvesting system entails
water availability in the open dug wells of the surroundings too. Creation of additional
irrigation facilities, stabilization of the area already under irrigation and promotion of
conjunctive use of surface water and ground water resource and effective resource
management is necessary for potential water utilization in the region. This chapter did not
cover all the aspect of irrigation management but some ideas are expressed.

9.1. Irrigation Schemes in the Region

There are 15 major and 35 medium irrigation schemes and 2033 minor tanks available for
water harvesting in the region. However, only nearly 800 minor tanks are functional for
irrigated agriculture. Nevertheless, only 540 minor tanks are having water conveyance
facilities for irrigation to crop cultivation. Major drawback in utilizing the irrigation schemes
is that they are not fully developed with modernized way of irrigation system resulting in a
poor irrigation efficiency and heavy conveyance loss. This situation has been well addressed
by eminent people. But it is still remain unattended.

The Iranamadu scheme, as one of the 10 major schemes of the country, too needs
rehabilitation for potential use of the scheme. Indiscriminate use of water due to several
factors is the major impediments for effective utilization of irrigation water for cultivation of
crops. And derelict water management infrastructure in the existing developed irrigation
schemes causes unproductive loss of irrigation water.

Weakness in the present system

• Poor application of irrigation management techniques
• Poor appropriate organizational frame work for community based planning and
integrated management of water resource
• Poor established service system for water resource management
• Inadequate adoption of efficient water use and saving technology
• Poor adoption of modern structures to mitigate conveyance losses
• Gap between crop requirement and water supply
9.2. Watershed Management

The island’s natural endowment is the monsoonal rainfall. Rainfall in wet season is not fully
utilized in a productive way. About 80% of the rainfall is said to be run off to the sea. The
rain fed land which constitute major portion of the cultivated land area has not received
adequate attention compared to irrigated land. There is a need to increase the productivity
in rain-fed land, particularly in the context that 80 percent of the surface water and 60% of
the ground water in the region have been exploited. Water shed development program is
meant to check soil erosion, optimum rain water utilization, encourage pattern of land use
and cropping and agronomic practices which will augment the production potential of the
land in an integrated way covering all category of land in a watershed. So, the effective
water conservation practice is necessary to reserve the precipitation. Rehabilitation and
reconstruction of reservoirs to harvest maximum water in the reservoir will be promoted.

9.3. Water Conservation and Management

An area of 50,000 ha is under rain-fed agriculture. This area is the production base for crops
like paddy, pulse and groundnut. Improving soil moisture and creating water harvesting
facilities in water sheds predominantly under rain-fed agriculture are necessary. The
introduction of micro-irrigation system is well adopted in onion cultivation and it has to be
promoted to horticultural crops too. Training on watershed and water management will be
improved.
Agro-wells, tube wells and water reservoir schemes are used for agriculture crop cultivation
in the region. It is estimated that consumptive use of irrigation water from the tank is 60%
due to conveyance loss. Appropriate irrigation structure in such a way to minimize water
conveyance losses or optimize consumptive use of water is to be designed.

9.3.1. Gravity Irrigation

Irrigation system in the northern region is yet to be improved for optimum use of water.
Most of the tank irrigation system needs modernization though irrigation is managed by
participatory concept. The use of water based on plant water requirement has yet to be
improved. However, the modernized irrigation infrastructure such as on-farm infrastructure
for regulated distribution etc. will optimize the use of irrigation water.

Even though irrigation is done for paddy crop by the schemes, some schemes - Iranamadu,
Piramathal-aru and Akarayan irrigation schemes is also meant to supply water for OFC
cultivation, too.

9.3.2. Lift Irrigation

Well irrigation has gained importance in the region for other field crop and vegetable
cultivation. About 45% of the net area irrigated is covered by wells. There are about 30,000
wells being used for irrigated agriculture. The well water is more precious and needs to be
used judiciously and loss in conveyance and application have to be minimized. The use of
flexible fire delivery pipe can be used for minimizing delivery loss through channel irrigation.
9.3.3. Micro-irrigation system development

Micro-irrigation system is advantageous for vegetable and cash crop cultivation like chilli
and red onion. Drip irrigation is one of the water saving methods of irrigation at homestead
level. This system of micro-irrigation saves water, enhance plant growth, increase yield,
improve quality of produce and saves cost of cultivation by saving energy, labour, and
fertilizer and weeding cost. As cost of installation of micro-irrigation is high, cultivation of
high value crops under micro irrigation is encouraged. A subsidy scheme for small and
marginal farmers is well advocated. Department has introduced micro sprinkler system of
irrigation in the region in order to popularize the micro-irrigation system and farmers have
installed nearly 1200 units of sprinkler system in the area.

9.3.4. Tank Rehabilitation

Tank rehabilitation should be focused on modernized way of irrigation rehabilitation rather

than having rehabilitation to repair the damage. Losses during water conveyance through
distributor channel up to the field are as high as consumptive use of water by the plants.
Therefore the modernization in rehabilitation of tank in such a manner to reduce the
conveyance loss will pave way for increase the water use efficiency.

9.4. Command Area Development

Command area development program in participatory management concept will be
strengthened with more effective institutional arrangement adopting a three tier set-up
such as organizing farmer association at sluice level and farmer council at distributor level
and federation at schemes level. An optimum flow block concept can be adopted with
farmer’s participation.

9.5. Rain Water Harvesting

Implementation of appropriate water harvesting system in

rural, urban and town areas is necessary for tapping rain
water. It will not only be useful for crops but also to
maintain the ground water level.
Erecting soil bund
In rural system, adoption of cultural practices in cultivation
of crops-erecting of bund, dyke around the premises- in
order to block the run-off in such a way to facilitate
maximum water infiltration into the soil to increase underground water level will be
appropriate to be encouraged among the society.

In house Water harvesting structure

In urban and town areas, constructing underground or over head water harvesting structure
is appropriate. Strict measure should be adopted against those who are non-adopters of the
system. An incentive or subsidy scheme can be implemented to encourage the system. It is
estimated that 20’x20’ roof area will save 100,000 litres of water per an hour intensive
rainfall.
Water conservation in bonds

The water management concept in Thailand is an example where farmers adopt a

systematic practice for land utilization and it is called 30.30.30:10 land use systems. It
indicates the percentage of land for different objectives of land use. The last 10% of the
total land is meant for water harvesting system adoption. The rest of the lands are used for
crop production of domestic (30%), national (30%) international (30 %) market. In Jaffna,
water harvesting in the bonds near the field has been adopted. Likely it will be constructed
in the main land cultivation area too.

9.6. Diversion of River

Possible diversion of river basin into productive reservoir and reconstruction of such
reservoir to store water to possible maximum capacity will be explored. Most of the tank’s
maximum capacities can be increased by strengthening embankment structures and
protecting catchment areas.

9.7. Integrated Wasteland Development

Waste land available in the region could be brought into productive. The broader objectives
of this development is to maintain sustainability equity and environmental conservation to
meet timber, fodder and fuel needs and to increase the employment opportunities in the
rural areas

9.8. Drought Prone Area Development

This can be implemented with prime objective of promoting the overall economic
development of the watershed community by putting the natural resources like land, water
to the optimum use so as to mitigate the adverse effects of drought and prevent further
ecological degradation, besides employment generation through non-farming activities.
 Chapter- 10

Institutional Development and Organizational Strengthening

Department of Agriculture implements agriculture extension and communication and
adaptive research activities as mandate under devolution of power to the provincial council.
Implementation of other crop development related institutional activities - Research, Seed
Production and Seed Certification and Supply service and Socio Economic Planning service
are coming under the administrative purview of Director General of Agriculture at central
level. Institutional arrangement with manpower and material resources is indispensable for
achieving the objectives of agriculture development. Institutional arrangements within the
arm bit of regional set up and its capacity at present are not congenial for agriculture
economy development in a new competitive direction. An institutional reform is imperative
for full fledge and need based extension service delivery along with other support services
for sustainable livelihood development of the farming community. Confining agriculture
extension within transfer technology service will not develop a sustainable livelihood of
farming community. Hence, Institutional Development and Organization Strengthening with
in the northern development requirement is necessary. Action required for ID/OS are
addressed herein to strengthen extension service.

10.1. Provincial Department of Agriculture

Northern Provincial Department of Agriculture was established in December 2006 and

equipped for its service. Agriculture extension service delivery system to promote
agriculture based economic development is not merely confined to transfer technology for
crop production improvement but embrace all possible activities in terms of socio economic
and livelihood development of farm and farm dependant community. This necessitates
IS/OD action. Considering the significance of agriculture extension in improving crop
production in line with market competition and consumer preference and mostly livelihood
of farming community, organizational strengthening with necessary institutional
development to cater all the needs of farming society of different categories is considered
vital. During inception of Provincial Council in 1990, there were 5 SLAgS officers and two
SLTS officers in provincial head office with attachment of SLAgS officers and SLTS officers
stationed at district and peripheral units of the Provincial Department of Agriculture.
Therefore, the provincial extension system will be strengthened both personnel and
institutional on a rational basis.

10.2. Agriculture Extension and Development

Agricultural Development means the shift from traditional methods of production to new
science based methods of farming in a sustainable way. It is the job of Agricultural Research
to continuously modify the technological components of production as the changing
situation demands. The job of diffusing innovations among the rural masses is performed
by the Agricultural Extension Service, which not only acts as the carrier of improved
technology from research to the farmers but also provides questions of immediate
importance/problem from farmer’s fields to the Agricultural researchers. In this way, it also
keeps agricultural scientists abreast of real field problems. Extension service is thus a vital
link between the Researcher and farmers.
There are wide gaps between the yields which can be obtained through the use of available
production technologies and the yields obtained by the majority of farmers. Research
during the last two decades at National Research Institutes and the Agriculture Research
Centres has generated technologies which have still not been used widely by farmers.
Other reasons for low yields must be sought in the economic, social and political situation in
rural areas.

Hence, Agriculture extension is a technology delivery service to the people for production
enhancement and empower them to be self reliant in agriculture production system and
process with scientific advancements and in decision making in utilizing appropriate
technologies and resources available for their livelihood betterment. It is an action deals
with transferring modern agriculture technology to the farmers for adoption and to increase
their production in order to improve their socio economic conditions. Therefore, the
agriculture extension is helpful in the management of resource utilization, technologies in
the production system. Agriculture research finds technologies and supply to the extension
division for dissemination among the farming community to adopt the technologies in
farming practices. There are several activities involved in between technical innovation and
field adoption. The process involved in between initial awareness up to final adoption is
called adoption process. The adoption or rejection of innovations depends on factors like
awareness, interest, trial and evaluation. In this situation, disseminating agricultural
information is only creating awareness. Appealing to the attitudes and persuading farmers
to adopt innovations is an educational process in its true sense of extension. Extension
management system promotes research-extension- farmer linkage in this process.

A national policy priority is to be articulate an updated and a comprehensive policy to

effectively see the scope of the extension whether extension should focus only on
technology transfer or be made responsible for other rural development and whether
extension program transmit pre-defined and circumscribed technical package or to focus to
educate farmers to understand process and resources flows on which they have to make on
their own management decision. Further a mechanism is needed to assess candidate
technology to the needs of different category of farmer or diversity of client and which
category of farmer should receive priority and also to see the diversity of instrument and its
cost effective.

10.2.1. Philosophy of Extension

1. Technology delivery (TD) is an ongoing process of getting useful information to

people (Communication dimension)
2. The TD assists rural people to acquire the necessary skills, knowledge and technology
to help themselves (Education Dimension )
3. By extension service delivery, people are reached, mobilized and empowered to
actively participate in development effort and reap fruits of their involvement
(Participation)
10.2.2. Extension Strategy

• Keep in line with national policy

• Aim basically at people’s interest and needs
• Work through understanding of people
• Use local leaders
• Make program as broad as needs of the people
• Use community approach
• Help people recognize their needs and direct them to help themselves
• Involve people in action that promote welfare
• Develop program gradually
• Utilize trained specialist
• Strategies based on condition that exist
• Work with all classes and society

10.2.3. Extension Component

Component of extension delivery system is again tripartite- research system (a change

/process system) - delivery system and client system (local knowledge). There are many
models of extension approach. Department had implemented training and visit (T&V)
system of approach until 1987. The new extension model recognizes that farmers should be
treated first and the last. i.e farmer – technology – farmer model. This gives a farmer based
extension model. This has three components--farmer first and the last model, farming
system research and extension (FSR&E) and Indigenous knowledge research. This leads to a
participatory research development approach to be adopted.

10.2.4. Objectives of Agriculture Extension

Overall Objectives:

Overall objectives as defined by Kelsey & Hearne “experience of end towards which our
efforts are directed. An objective in extension is a “direction of movement” or the “product
to reach through educational process”. There are several specific objectives that leads to
achieve overall objectives.

To reach self sufficiency in food and other crops for the region/nation.

Through transfer of package of technology received from Research to farmers and make
them aware of condition prevailing in developed countries.

To improve the living condition of small scale farmers.

By adopting, measures to increase the yield per acre through best use of agriculture
practices, so that their income is increased.

To generate an exportable surplus of agricultural production/channel to earn foreign

exchange

Fruits, vegetables and other crops potential production and quality production can make a
break through if Export Promotion Bureau cooperates.
To pursue Agriculture Development on sustainable basis.

For this purpose, the Agriculture bio-diversity and Natural Resource Management (NRM) are
the proper keys.

To encourage a dynamic Agro-based enterprise development

Promotion of pattern of food habit and shift from synthetic food to natural food and
development of market competitiveness.

To implement government policies regarding agriculture development.

Agriculture policy and plans be prepared and implemented.

10.2.5. Activities of Agriculture Extension

Improving working condition of staff through pre-service and in-service training.

Pre-service training for preparation and producing well trained personnel in various skills
from Agricultural Training Institute & Agricultural University. In-service training to the
persons on job is to enhance the skills of the staff so that they
can cope with the existing situation prevailing in the field.

Communication with Client/Target Group

The target group includes both male and female farmers. Extension addresses in principle
agricultural problems of all categories of farmers, however it deals with small scale farmers
in rendering special activities. The transfer of knowledge involves communications at each
step. Therefore, it is important for extension agent to know the basics of the
communication process. Mass communication media including electronic media such as
Radio, Television, Internet, printed media such as newspapers, magazines, posters, leaflets
and hand outs etc which may be utilized effectively.

Coordination

Coordination of all the departments linked with Agriculture development such as

Agriculture Research, Livestock and Dairy Development, On Farm Water Management,
Agriculture Development Banks, Cooperatives, local councilors, District Members and other
Departments. (Non Government Organizations, Irrigation and Agriculture Engineering, Farm
Machinery Training Input supplying agencies e.g. Seed, Fertilizers, Pesticides working on
Agriculture must frame a District Coordination Committee under the patron
and Chairmanship of District secretariat.

Plant Protection
Plant protection is an important objective/scope to be addressed. In this connection the
staff and farmers training be arranged and the legislation already available may be
implemented and the Quarantine procedures be adopted by the Government departments.
In order to combat with the adulteration of pesticides, the Vigilance Committee for
pesticides may be made at District level to address the problems timely as included in
mandate.
Preparation of Statistical Data

• Crop reporting services be created and Management Information Syetem to be

developed so as to provide accurate data regarding.
• Crop Estimates area/production of all crops.
• Cost of production of various crops.
• Per capita Consumption of food per annum.
• Future forecasting at regional Level for domestic requirement and surplus for
export purpose

Marketing

Marketing is the main part of mandate to be discussed as it concerned with the production
process. The following innovations are to be kept in mind for dealing with as included in
mandate.
• Market Information system (MIS).
• Market Research (post harvest losses).
• Establishment of regulated market.
• Market legislation.
• Storage for food, fruit, and vegetables crops etc.
• Supply and demand situation.
• Rural markets.
• Supply of inputs for marketing.
• Provision of soft loans.

Inputs Supply

Facilitating role of extension for all inputs, seed, fertilizers, pesticides, through advice to
relevant authorities and private sector on timely supply of inputs and information to the
farmers on availability of inputs -a gradual disengagement from production and direct
supply e.g. Seed multiplication and nurseries.

Organizing farmers

Work with existing farmers groups and organization and if necessary establishing
permanent farmers groups or organization and facilitating input supply and marketing of
crop production.

Dissemination of Extension messages

Development of extension tools, written extension materials (leaflet, booklets posters, flip
charts, video production and programme for Radio and Television, training of farmers, Non
Government Organization (NGO’s) and dealers, field demonstration and field days
observation.

Quality Control of Inputs

Registration of dealers for chemical inputs (Pesticides and Fertilizers) registration of growers
for seed production and nurseries, physical check up of chemical, seed, fertilizer and
nurseries.
Establishment of Rural Support and Farm Services Centres.

Address the farmer’s current production constraints in the area of extension services,
planning and input supply. Facilitate a shift to participatory approach i.e. working together
with the farmers in the target area and in cooperation with relevant research institutions,
develop and provide technology package.

Mobilize extension service within the target area as effective support system for Farm
Services Centres and making available farm machinery on easy rates to the farmers.
Besides this training on the job, touring and other inputs to the research centers,
organization and areas of interest to enhance their knowledge and skill for adoption and
improvement in their overall farm produce, income and better living condition.

Feed back

Feed back is the real position which is the most important while conducting processes etc.
It can be assessed through periodic meeting, individual contact, reporting system etc.

Monitoring & Evaluation

Though there is no direct evaluation of the extension impact, however the funds provided
are financially and physically evaluated through quarterly review. Besides the impact is
judged from crop yields, food production and cash returns to the farmers & overall
improvement in their life / living.

10.2.6. Agriculture System

Agriculture system is made up of the interacting internal crop and social component that
influence the production distribution and consumption of agriculture production. This
agriculture system has two divisions - agriculture eco-system and social system. The
traditional agriculture system controls the environment pollution. This includes shifting
agriculture from nomadic agriculture to continuous agriculture. The continuous agriculture
is based on consumer orientation. The consumer oriented agriculture can be managed by
contract farming as tool. This contract farming will vary with areas of interest. This was
explained elsewhere in the context ( p-125).

10.2.7. Extension Approaches

Extension service clients are varied with socio- economic -cultural and behavior, the level of
literacy and the objective of farming. Therefore, the extension approach will be differing for
pluralistic population. The possible approaches are:

Commercial farming community

This community produces food commodities for market and needs commodity based
market oriented extension service with advanced technology for intensive, competitive
production.
Average farming community

For subsistence or part time farmers whose opportunities and inclination to innovate are
limited, experiment could assess the cost effectiveness of multipurpose, non- specialized
village level workers as referral agents for extension needs. The expertise needed in later
time. This community produces food commodities for market and self consumption and
their resources are limited and need interdisciplinary and participatory integrated farming
system approach. Sustainable resource utilization and appropriate labor saving technology
dissemination are considered to be better service to them.

Vulnerable farming community

This community includes both the resource poor and small farm holders and landless farm
workers depending on agriculture sector for livelihood. Implementation of self-help
programs, household economic development programs and mostly multidisciplinary eco-
friendly agriculture with input substitution are considered effective.

10.3. Weaknesses in Present System

• The required institutional reforms for realizing effective research, extension and
marketing linkages.
• The plurality and breadth of the research and extension systems need to be well
acknowledged in all categories of farmers of the region.
• Absence of participatory research and research outreach programs. It is important
that researchers and extension workers interact with farmers as a team to gain
comprehensive insights.
• Sectoral segregation in program planning and implementation
• Inter- sectoral cooperation needs to be strengthened
• Poor competence in research and extension personnel, and poorly designed learning
and capacity building (LCB) programs.
• Technology innovation not based on pro-poor application.
• Low quality of extension service and unclear extension responsibility in term of
livelihood.
• Agro and village-based industries need to be integrated into the R-E-F linkage
framework to provide for sustainable livelihood options for the poor farmers.
• Inter agency support activities not align with Public- Private – NGO partnership to be
encouraged to foster effective functional linkages.
• Cooperative spirit among farming communities needs to be revived by appropriate
interventions like training and sensitization, linking to supply chain and support
services like credit and insurance to cope and overcome agrarian crisis.
• The potential of modern tools like ICT is yet to be harnessed to brink research –
extension –farmer closer for mutual benefit.
• An agriculture development planning body needs to be organized at provincial,
district, divisional level and to develop bottom –up planning process- Multi- sectoral
approach needs to be strengthened.
10.4. Agriculture Development
Agriculture development is basically depends on investment, production and marketing. The
present extension addresses its service delivery in production dimension and other two
dimensions are left to private sector. This is not an ideal situation for agriculture
development. Department must have a role to play in between investment and marketing
even though these two (so called economic dimensions) can be privately administered.
Some activities such as, market information and technology dissemination, market
intelligence, market contract are to be performed by the department (this may be
performed by well established market committee) Therefore, institutional development in
order to render facilitating service on marketing and investment to be addressed. For
consumer oriented agriculture, extension will be operated in three areas. i.e. market
provision, resource provision and management provision.

10.4.1. Village Agriculture Development

Development of rural peasant sector by strengthening their capacity in terms of technology

and productivity will facilitate them to entering into the main streaming of economic
activities. Formation of Village Agriculture Development Committee (VADC) will be the main
feature of agriculture development in the villages. This will facilitate participatory planning
process and resource allocation for commodity production. VADC will be formed in the
villages and join Agriculture Cooperative Society during the institutionalization process. The
following will be prepared by the committee.

Preparation for village vision mapping (See Figure 15)

Preparation of village agriculture development plan

10.4.2. Institutional development

Social Institutionalization is another focal point for developing group participation in

production, marketing and resource utilization. Agriculture cooperatives have long history
of success in cooperative action in Europe countries even though some failure cases
experienced. Agriculture cooperatives had developed rural economies of the country during
the transformation from self sufficiency to full market production. Since the northern region
economy is in transition, the following institutional development deem necessary to be
established.
• Federated Farmer cooperative /society organization
• Dedicated economic market.
• Local processing centres
• Research, educational and enterprise development centres
• Technology Park for entrepreneurships. etc

10.4.3. Micro-credit and Financing

Facility for obtaining micro-credit from the lending agencies/ credit bank without any
collateral will be made available for mostly affected farmers to restart agriculture. Grameen
Bank system is one option for micro-financing system development in the rural sector.

I. Action for micro credit and financing

 10.4.4. Urban Agriculture Development

With the industrial development, People move toward to urban area.. There are urban poor
to be looked after. Therefore, crop cultivation in urban area should be promoted.
Technologies are available for urban area cultivation. Hydroponic, net house cultivation and
potted agriculture techniques will be focused in urban agriculture development.

Action for urban agriculture development

10.4.5. Branding of agricultural production

Branding is defined as a unique product of the particular
area or symbol or design or name for identity of the
product which is exclusively recognized by consumer as
best wanted product. Most of the crop product in the
northern region has unique feature for consumer demand
and still exist. Therefore banding of regional product either
as regional uniqueness or as individual private product will
be considered in the future for capturing global market.
Action for branding of product

Schematic Vision map for Village Agriculture Development

Widows & Wholesale

handicap Market

Agro – based small RDS Farmer Forward link

Enterprise WARDS Service
Federation Providers
Collection Market
& handling Information Backward link

Commodity
Backward link Commercial Forward Sale Average Farmer
based society Producer Contract Society
organization

Agro well Rain-fed

farmers, Tank Agriculture services supporters
irrigation (Labor, Machinery hirer & Farmers
farmers & homestead
unemployed youth)
Commercial developers
home gardeners
10.5. Need of the Participatory Research and Technology Development Approach

In the context of ever- demanding and knowledge intensive agricultural technology systems
(ATS), Research- Extension - Farmer (REF) linkage is a crucial component for sustainable
agricultural and user friendly technology development. Farmers’ field is the main arena for
pro poor technology research and it is emphasized in the concept of “farmer first and the
last extension model” which

• recognize farmers ’ involvement in research

• enhance and strengthen participation of all stakeholders
• require more integrated, interdisciplinary and holistic view and
• gives participatory technology development through
• farmer participatory research and
• Farmer field school.

Local level field diagnostic work requires researchers and extension personnel to conduct
joint studies in the field to analyze constraints causes and factor affecting yield potential, to
identify yield gap reduction means. These means would then be trialed by adaptive research
program.

10.6. Strategic institutional development for Extension Service Delivery

Improvement

The following institutional development is recommended for effective and quality extension
service.

10.6.1. Establishment of Audio visual unit

Audio program with visualization is one the extension strategy to disseminate technology
among rural mass as quick as possible. Mass media technology diffusion program
strategically involves many approaches like posters, leaf-lets, bulletin and broad-casting
services. It involves techniques for material preparation for mass media propaganda of the
technology and also facilitates broad casting of good practices in the areas of research and
extension. Hence an AV unit has to be established with other facilities for the effective mass
media service in the region.

Audio-visual Units

The functions of audio–visual units are to support farm broadcast programs for farming
community, to develop interactive discussion, to form e-based discussion group, to prepare
technical bulletin, interactive CD and audio-visual products for dissemination of technology
and other production related information transfer to the mass as quickly as possible in an
understandable manner. Further, preparation of teaching materials and handouts and
formulation of presentation materials will be facilitated by this unit. The Unit will also
facilitate development of interactive CD –ROM to be used in cyber extension units in the
districts To facilitate e –extension in the near future with the above activities, Establishment
of Audio –Visual unit in the region is necessary.
Project

1. Establishment of audio-visual unit at head office and provision of audio-visual

equipments

Objectives

• To develop mass media information delivery product and e-Extension

• To prepare audio-visual products for farmers to get first-hand knowledge on crop
development technology
• To prepare effective handouts for reading and training
• To store and retrieve technical information
• To prepare interactive CD for cyber extension units

Agriculture broadcasting service

Agriculture broadcasting service is one way of technology delivery system by which a new
technology could be spread among the rural mass in the quickest possible time. Radio
broadcasting and Tele-dramas can be designed to disseminate technology in an effective
way. This system of technology delivery will be explored by organizing Regional Agriculture
Broadcasting System in the region.

Project

2. Establishment of regional agriculture broadcasting service

Objectives

• To quick dissemination of information

• To facilitate the understanding of technology to the rural masses in time
• To air the technical information to facilitate to know the technology at people’s own
time.
• To air region specific technical information.

10.6.2. Establishment of Regional Socio-economic Planning and Resource management

unit

Regional Socio-economic Planning and Resource Management Unit

Planning is a major component of the institution. Agriculture planning process needs a

frequent socio-economic survey and analysis as prerequisite for planning improvement in
crop production pattern. This unit will facilitate prudent management of resources, analyze
production and evaluate economic status of production, advice the direction to production
pattern with market competition, production forecasting, discussing the routine of cost of
cultivation surveys and statistics. This unit will be attached to head office facilitated with an
appointment of Regional Agricultural Economist and other facilities.
Project Title :-

1. Establishment of Regional Socio-economic Planning and Resource Management Unit

in the Department

Objectives

• To analyze and evaluate production system and its cost-benefit

• To collect socio-economic and production related information
• To have close coordination with agriculture related business development
entrepreneurs
• To guide the development planning of the region.
• To position service system appropriate to resource management
• To establish organizational frame work for resource management
• To identify appropriate resource management techniques

10.6.3. Establishment of Product Marketing , Information and agro-enterprise unit

Agriculture Information and technology development consist of changes in material input,

complementary farming technology, storage technology ,research supply and market
institution. Effective integration of these factors is closely link with information flow. A
technical stream of new technical knowledge and a flow of industrial input in which
knowledge is embodied represent a necessary condition for agriculture development.
Stream of input must complemented by investment in information transformation in
general and in production for farmers. Hence there is no doubt that the information system
is crucial for agriculture growth. Information flow in agriculture can be divided in to three
broad categories. Information flow to farmers which includes education, extension and
market information and information that help to group organizing then information flow to
agriculture technician pre and in-service training and supervision, the third is the flow from
the field to research and supply institution that is feed forward. In recent years, there are
tremendous explosion of data and information in the field of agriculture science and
technology. The total number of journal has been exceeded 15000. This posses several
challenges to make information available and system development. This necessitates a unit
for agricultural product marketing and information to be established in the region.

Marketing of product and its related market information dissemination will facilitate them
to indentify the production direction, regularization of production, value addition and
marketing. The unit will help to integrate marketing information into research, extension
and production program of the department. This service delivery will be part and parcel of
the extension system, Therefore, product marketing and information unit be attached to the
extension for market oriented extension and to ensure timely provision of market
information to extension personnel in-turn to farmers at farm level. Inclusion of market
information and discussion as part of their routine activities is considered necessary.
Education and promotion on quality control and the ways to produce quality product also
need promotion and reinforcement. These are probably the most problematic and
expensive tasks which no institution alone is able to accomplish effectively and efficiently.
They require that private rural collectors and private traders be recognized as proper and
useful components in the system that needs guidance and support to act fairly and
effectively.
Project Title :-
1. Agriculture Product Marketing and Information Unit establishment

Objectives

• To act as agriculture related information bank

• To promote market oriented extension
• To develop campaign to explicitly help market oriented farmers
• To disseminate market related information
• To make awareness on market situation and production relationship
• To regularize production and marketing
• To promote, motivate and help farmers to obtain produce of superior quality

10.6.4. Mobile Extension, Clinic and Soil Testing Service –A Mobile Unit.

To advise farmers on specific fertilizer recommendation on the basics of native soil fertility
and analysis of soil sample, soil testing service is necessary. Mobile soil testing facilities will
solve the soil related problem then and there. These mobile soil laboratories also will
suggest suitable remedial measures for problematic soil, prepare village level fertility index
and assessing the quality of irrigation water. The mobile soil testing unit is an effective
propaganda aids to disseminate the soil related bio-fertilizer and micro-nutrient
technologies among pluralistic farming community with village adoption program, soil
testing campaigns and exhibition etc. This service can develop the application of prudent
and judicial inputs which is important in economic and sustainable productivity.
Introduction of soil card system among the farming community will also be initiated for
effective utilization of inorganic fertilizer in the field. However, this system needs frequent
testing of soil for content of N, P and K and soil organic matter (SOM) in the soil.

Project Title :-
1. Establish Mobile Extension, Clinic and Soil Testing Service –A Mobile Unit.

Objectives:

• To solve problem on the spot.

• To promote judicial application of inputs.
• To have farmers with better knowledge on the resources.
• To initiate soil card system for effective fertilizer application decision.

10.6.5. Cyber Extension Service Unit

The potential of modern tools like information and communication technologies (ICTs) will
be harnessed to bring research, extension and farmers closer for mutual benefit. To
promote ICT among the farming community, cyber extension system introduction is
focused. In this system, farmer in the village can access and discuss with research sceintist
and extension personnel through web camera video conference. By the development of this
system, farmers can easily view the cultivation and technology adoption through interactive
CD Rom and multimedia filming. This will be facilitated in each farmer training centre which
is suggested to be established in each divisional area. In the long term, these cyber
extension services will give information on market.
Cyber Extension Service Unit

Project Strategy:

Dissemination of technology through cyber extension approach is a cost effective tool for
agriculture extension. Cyber extension facilitates all walks of people to have direct and
interactive discussion with extension and scientist and have hands-on information in the
quickest manner.

Project Title :-

1. Establishment of cyber extension unit in each farmer training centre.

Objectives

• To facilitate direct discussion with scientist

• To disseminate hands-on technology in the quickest manner
• To facilitate farmer discussion with interactive CD display.

10.6.6. Plant Protection Unit and Plant Clinic Service Improvement

Project Strategy

Crop plants are affected by a variety of pests and diseases which cause tremendous damage
to the crops and sometime destroy the crops to nothing. Plant protection service of the
department once it was actively functioned will be reactivated with facilities to handle
quality plant protection service. Service of of Registrar of Pesticides was created to monitor
the use of high toxic chemical in legislative procedure. And also quarantine service renders
barrier to introduce potentially harmful organism to the country. Therefore, an effective
pest management and plant protection service in districts have to be developed with
necessary equipment as this service has been limited to advisory level to the farmers at
present. The plant protection service will include investigation, analysis and diagnosis
problems and give remedial measure. A plant protection unit will be re-established in the
districts and improve the application of IPM strategies in plant protection. This unit is vital
for plant clinic service delivery

Project

1. Plant Protection Unit and Plant Clinic Service Improvement

Objectives
• To have farmers with better knowledge in pest management
• To promote IPM technologies in crop management.
• To make a quick investigation on the problem and give solution.
• To conduct FFS /FFR training program effectively.
• To promote better utilization of resources.
• To initiate plant clinic service to farmers
10.6.7. Rehabilitation of Agriculture Extension centre

Most of the agriculture extension centre situated in peripheral area of the district to
catering service to people in their door step were damaged by the prolonged war prevailed
in the region, as a result, agriculture instructors lost their office facilities and have to share
with adjoining extension centre facilities or have office in a temporary rented house and
travel to his /her operational area for service delivery. This resulted in an attitudinal change
in service performance. Rehabilitation of damaged extension centre in such a manner to
have residential facilities near/attach to the office will facilitate officer not only to reside in
the area but farmers in the area can have free wheel discussion at any time with extension
officer. Damaged extension centre will be reconstructed as extension office cum residential
quarters for agriculture instructor to reside in the area and deliver service.

Project Title :-

1. Rehabilitation of agriculture extension centre cum quarters

Objectives

• To cater service in the door step of the farming area

• To make agricultural instructor available at any time in his /her operational area for
farmer to reach for advice in their free time
• To develop a better rapport among the farming community
• To make agriculture instructor available in operational area

10.6.8. Re-arrange agriculture extension service area

Under training and visit system of extension service, there was village extension service
personnel attached to each agriculture instructor service area to operate in village level
covering 2-3 villages for catering effective service to the people in close supervision. With
the absorption of VEW in to Grama Officers, agriculture instructor has to cover the whole
area with single handed. This renders a limitation in the service delivery by an individual
officer. To improve the delivery system in an effective way, the present agriculture
operational area will be rearranged in to manageable ranges.

10.6.9. Women Agriculture Extension Service

Gender sensitivity is an issue in the rural service delivery. Women are the people often left
out from service provision. Department of agriculture have started extension service for
economic development of the women in agriculture and house hold. Agriculture crop
production, product preservation and effective food preparation and home economic
related activities are implemented and will be strengthened to be more effective in women
mobilization in Agro-based economic activities in the rural area. Agriculture extension
officers were deployed in all districts to look after women in agriculture.

Project Title :-

1. Household Economic Development Program

Objectives
• To improve household food habit
• To increase economic food preparation
• To promote value added food consumption
10.6.10. District Soil Atlas

Soil atlas has to be prepared to highlight general

information of the district, kinds of soils, their
characteristics, land capability, productivity, potential and
constraints. The soil atlas will disclose saline and alkaline
lands that need reclamation practices. Soil atlas will also
help plan potential crop cultivation areas with crop
suitability mapping. For economic crop cultivation, crop
suitability mapping is an essential practice to cultivate right
crop at right place. Research should prepare the soil atlas
for the region and recommend the possible crop varieties.
Project Title :-
1. Development of regional soil atlas

Objectives

• To be a tool for planning.

• To use to identify potentiality.
• To plan effective land utilization.

10.6.11. Participatory Research and Technology Development

Research-extension-farmer linkage is considered for farmer friendly and participatory

technology development. The present research findings are resource demanding and capital
intensive which does not address the needs of resource-poor small farmer groups whose
problem have not been well to be well addressed in research and technology development.
Participatory research and technology development approach to produce low cost and pro
poor technology for small farmers will improve the productivity of the poor people,
Therefore, strengthening research- extension- farmer linkage will be facilitated for success
of PRTD approach.

Project Title :-
1. Development of effective research- extension -farmer linkage
Objectives
• To make farmer as scientist and partner of the technology finding.
• To make research technology adoptable and people friendly.
• To promote better extension research and farmer linkage.
• To promote farmer involvement in research activities
10.6.12. Provision of Mobility

Extension field officers’ visit to farming area and individual farm is indispensable for
effective planning, service delivery develop better rapport so that farmers develop
credibility in the service provision. Mobility is very necessary to visit the field and individual
farmer as farming is characterized as small scale farming and involve many farmers in
cultivation of variety of crop. Hence, a extension has to with package of information to
satisfy his service in the rural areas where farmers are sparsely living and farming.
Project Title :-
1. Provision of facility for field travelling
Objective

• To cover as many farmers as possible in a visit

• To reduced torn out by service providers.
• To serve quickly in case of outbreak or endemic situation

10.7. Agriculture Training and Capacity Building

Training and capacity building are essential services for empowerment and self reliance
development. With the emerging new trends, functions and responsibilities, there is a
continuous need to upgrade and professionalize the knowledge and skill of the farmers and
extension personnel and prepare them to take up the new challenges with high sense of
responsibility, confidence and competence. To achieve this task, Department of Agriculture
has developed training units in the districts for training of farmers and youth in agriculture
competency. In-service Training Institute was established for extension personnel on-the-
job training. Since extension education is a non-formal education involving adult and youth,
development of training facilities to cater effective training with different methodology is
essential.

Need for Human Resource Development

Human resource capacity development is of paramount importance for any economic

development in the country. Human resource capital is the capital for economic
development. HRD plays a very vital role in agriculture development. Training is an
important element for agriculture development especially at a time when technologies are
changing fast. Farmers are to be trained in new technologies and their capacity in
production system should be built for self reliance. Production system includes all the
production process up to end users’ requirement. Farmers have to be empowered to
withstand in competitive culture for which agriculture extension personnel too should have
hands on information in technology changes and new strategies that are successfully
practiced elsewhere to plan out development programs. Therefore, the training and
capacity building program should be carried out to both producers and service providers.
Countries such as India, Japan and others can cater to our training needs in integrated
farming and multidisciplinary approach in farming.
Agriculture training is part and partial of technology transfer programs. Department of
Agriculture has developed District Agriculture Training centre in each district for practical
oriented institutional training on agriculture competency. However, three Such DATC, were
completely damaged by prolonged war situation and trainings were paralyzed in three
district.
Skill and Knowledge Acquisition
Strengthening of capacity building services will facilitate social empowerment in production
system. Producers are talented and enthusiastic in crop production enterprise. Proper
empowerment, mobilization and gender main streaming program will pave the way for
collective participation in the production process. Even through DATC render capacity
building training with practical aspect, rural people are not much benefited by this
arrangement.
There are attributes for this problem. However, establishment of farmer training centre in
each division will give better climate for training of rural people; rural people having their
own way of learning in the training centers in the rural locality will facilitate their
accessibility for learning.

10.7.1. In-Service Training Institute

Agriculture extension strategy expects the extension

officer to have general knowledge of farming to be able to
advice farmers on farming system. Specialized problems
that cannot be resolved by specialists are forwarded to
research institute; hence training of officer from one
agency in the specialization of the other agencies to gain
knowledge on the whole farming system is essential. This
is referred to as on-the-job cross-training. Further, agriculture extension staff will be trained
on change of technology and latest information on various aspects of crop development.
This in-service training was held at the In-Service Training Institute located at Kilinochchi.
This ISTI was completely damaged by the prolonged conflict.

Project Title:-
I. Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of In-service Training Institute
Objectives

• To facilitate in service training

• To promote knowledge and skill development in the field of extension
• To enhance quality extension service delivery
10.7.2. District Agriculture Training Centre

Training is imperative for social empowerment which

needs information in the way they understand, technical
and production related non-technical information are
disseminated among the society by means of training,
group discussion, verbal and non-verbal cues, individual
interaction and audio and visual media considering the
adult learning principles. Extension manipulates all
communication channels to disseminate information as farming is operated by all walks of
people. Institutional strengthening in such a way to disseminate information specific to the
area is recommended.
The training system at DATC is gradually promoted with rehabilitation programs. Yet the
institutional rehabilitation has not been completed as full fledged functional training
institutes. The rehabilitation program will be continued for effective training and practical
management.

DATC Training Facilities Improvement

District Agriculture Training Centre situated in each district caters practical oriented capacity
building service to all walks of people in agriculture. Lack of facilities in the DATC hinders
effective training to end-users. Further, three DATCs need full rehabilitation to function as
training institutes.
Project Title :-

1. Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Damaged Training Centres at Kilinochchi,

Mannar and Mullaitivu

Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of training institutions damaged by prolonged war

situation will be given priority as no other training facilities are available in these districts.

Objectives:

• To promote institutional training for capacity building.

• To develop competency in agriculture with practical oriented training.
• To develop a model trial farming for investigation.
• To facilitate development of knowledge based farming community.

Modernization of DATC in Jaffna

Project strategy
Jaffna District had the facilities for training youths in agriculture. This training was very much
supported for youth engagement in agriculture. However, This facilities was relinquished
with the formation of provincial administration. To improve youth’s self employment, A
competency training in Agriculture is necessary to develop inherent capacity and motivate
youth engaging in agriculture enterprises. The present training complex at DATC in Jaffna is
adequate for residential training for educated youth in different aspect of agriculture
enterprise. As the building complex are very old and needs repairing, this youth training
facilities is not possible with present facilities, modernization of existing facilities will
provide a conducive learning climate for youth and have a long term capacity development
program by the department than the present one day program.

Project Title :-

2. Modernization of Jaffna District agriculture training centre

Objectives

• To promote long term training on enterprise development

• To develop knowledge based community in agriculture
• To facilitate modern training for youth in agriculture

Facilities for Crop Management Improvement Training

With the advent of ICT, training is facilitated with more effective methods. Adult learning
principle needs different methodology for appropriate learning climate as adult participants
are in various levels of knowledge. Institutional rehabilitation and improvement in effective
transmission of information to community in addition to present instructional facilities are
necessary for effective training.
Project
 3. Training Improvements

Project Strategy

Androgogy is an art and science of adult education differing from pedagogy principle.
Improvement in training methodology will facilitate creation of learning motivation and
interest in learning. Provision of facilities to DATC will pave way for conducting effective
training program with conducive learning climate to adult learners.

Objectives

• To develop training facilities at DATC.

• To improve learning climate.
• To show the effect of technology in crop production.
• To be a model for training.

Facilities for Farm Machinery Training

Capacity building training on farm machinery and its
operation and maintenance is at present available at
Anuradhapura Farm Machinery Training Centre where the
trainings are conducted in Sinhala medium. Therefore,
farmers in the northern region face difficulty to be trained
there. Hence, farm machinery training will be facilitated in
the DATC in Vavuniya to conduct training on operation and
maintenance of agriculture implements and machineries for
needy people in the region which is lacking so far in the region.

Project Title :-

4. Establishment of Farm Machinery Training Unit at DATC in Vavuniya

Project Strategy

Farm mechanization is an accepted activity for reduction of cost of cultivation and

compensates the labor shortages. Further, to avoid scattered paddy cultivation in the
region, use of machinery in paddy cultivation helps carry out timely action from planting to
harvest. Besides, use of water pumps and sprayers is needed for advanced crop cultivation.
The training on operation and maintenance of agricultural implements and machineries is
the need of the day.

Objectives

• To facilitate farm machinery training in the northern region.

• To train farmers on operation and maintenance of farm machinery.
• To facilitate youth to undertake mending activities as income generation.
• To develop the capacity of training facilities on machineries at DATC, Vavuniya
• To develop farm machinery repairing units in the district.
Project Title :-

5. Establishment of Food Technology Training Unit at DATC.

Project Strategy

Food technology in value added food product preparation will promote the quality of
production to the competitive edge of market. Department of Agriculture has Food
Technology Unit at research level. The technology generated in research has to be
disseminated to the people in need with hands-on practical demonstration on their learning
and understanding. Hence a Food Technology Unit is necessary to be established in the
province and supplied with necessary equipment for effective delivery of technology which
is imperative for micro-enterprise development that will create a positive attitude and
behavioral change in production.

Objectives

• To improve effective technical dissemination by hands-on demonstration.

• To spread the knowledge of operation and management of equipment.
• To create interest in cottage industry.
• To improve quality of production.
• To improve food technology dissemination service.

10.7.3. Farming community empowerment

Empowerment of farming community in the agriculture production process and the system
will facilitate producer to be self -reliant in their livelihood development path and involve in
participatory planning process to improve the good governance. Extension personnel will
facilitate empowering process in the production system development. Hence, People
planning process and participatory action will be promoted.

Facility for farmer field training

Farmers should be facilitated to learn from their colleagues and have peer discussion within
their locality. Establishment of farmer training centre in close proximity of farming places
and developed facilities to interact with peer group is one important aspect.

Project Title :-

1. Establishing Farmer Training Centre at divisional level

The main aim of FTC is to facilitate farmers to obtain

training on agriculture development technologies for
adoption in the field and other production related
information very closer to their location. Training to
farmers / farm women and farmer group discussion are
facilitated at village level. Hence, farmers are encouraged
to participate in large number for sharing their experience
and problems. One of the adult learning principles is that
they learn through their colleagues. This principle is facilitated at this centre.
Project Strategy

The proposed FTC will facilitate rural farmers to get together for discussion and training, and
it will act as an information receiving centre.

Objectives

• To facilitate learning near the vicinity of the production area.

• To create learning climate to farming community
• To develop learning facilities to farmers
• To facilitate- e – learning with Cyber Extension Unit
• To facilitate exposure visit

10.7.4. Establishment of Agriculture Technology and Entrepreneurial Development

Training Institute

Development of Agriculture Technology and Entrepreneurial Development Institute in the

northern region will help in many ways to develop a scientific knowledge based community
in relation to crop production and agro- industry in line with economic promotion. The
proposed ATEDTI is considered necessary to build capacity of the people interested in agro-
enterprise development and to improve the quality of entrepreneurship. This institute will
be affiliated with university and research for quality standard and also this will function as
an informatics.

Project Title :-

1. Establishment of Agriculture Technology and Entrepreneurial Development Training

Institute

Objectives

• To make available agriculture technology and information for needy people.

• To promote agriculture related enterprise training.
• To do research on quality of value added product preparation with university.
• To innovate technology for quality improvement of the product.

10.8. Requirement of vehicle and other machineries for extension

Extension service needs heavy and regular field visits to the service in the door step of the
farm families. Ever changing technology and production pattern needs quick decision
making in agricultural production process. Since farming are characterized as small scale
multidisciplinary cropping pattern with involvement of literarily different category of
farmers in different state of economic level. Motor cycles and jeeps are required for the
transport of officers and materials and also small buses for transport of farmers for training
centre and officers for outside training to be arranged under human resource development
program. Machineries are required to farm division for seed production.
 Type of vehicle No of required
Jeep 18
Bus 06
lorry 03
Motor cycle 85
Three wheeler 05
Tractor-4w 09
Tractor-2w 07
Combine Harvester 02
Seed cleaner 02
Reaper 10

10.9. Requirement of buildings

Many building were damaged by the war situation in the region. Rehabilitation and
reconstruction of buildings is necessary to revive the extension activities hitherto paralyzed
due to conflict situation. Further, construction of farmer training centre with facilities for
having cyber unit in each divisional administrative area to enable farmers to access for e-
learning and to have interactive group discussion with extension personnel and their other
colleques will be made available for farmers. Extension and training facilities that were
derelict have to be re-provided for service delivery.

Type of building No required

District Agriculture Office 03
District Training Centre 03
Segment Agriculture Office 13
In-service Training institute 01
Farmer training centre 33
Agriculture extension centre 83
Farm Building complex 15
Community storage building 33
Dedicated Economic Zone 02
District Market 05
Rural Markets 300

10.10. Personnel requirement for agriculture Extension.

One of the major resource constraints in the service institutions is lack of technical staff for
effectively carry out the research, extension and seed certification service in the region.
Scarcity of staff is major problem in each division in the department of agriculture.

Division Agriculture Adaptive Economic Agriculture Farm Lab

Officers Research assistant Instructors machinery assistant
/SMS Officers Instructor
SLAgS
Extension 35 6 5 160 2 5
units
 Chapter-11

Agriculture Research and Development

Research function was not devolved to provincial administration except the adaptive
research activity which is meant for evaluation of climatic adaptation of the technology.
Research finding should be technically feasible, socially acceptable and economically sound.
Social acceptance of the technology in all occasions is a factor for economic acceptance.
Most of the station research finding is resource demanding and capital intensive which
cannot be adopted by poor farmers. About 90% of the farming societies cultivate crops at
subsistent level and the technologies for subsistent level cultivation differ from the
commercial type. Besides sustainable resource management securing productivity of the
production factors is considered as state of the art technology. Technically related
sustainable productivity improvement needs a participatory research and technology
development approach by which scientific knowledge and traditional knowledge could be
mixed for sustainable technology development. The participatory research and technology
development approach will make farmers scientists and develop a knowledge based society.
Hence research activities will be focused in the farmer’s field with the participation of
farmers.

11.1. Research Institutions in the region

Research and Development component in productivity and market improvement activities

in the crop sector development is the center of agriculture development and it plays a
multiple role in research and extension system. It is the pivotal point of the extension. As
such research institutions were established based on the ecological perspective in different
ecological zone with different research activities for group of crop discipline. There are
seven such Regional Research Station were established in seven ecological areas in the
island with satellite adaptive research station in the respective districts. There were
Adaptive Research Units in each district under the supervision of Regional Research Station
located in Kilinochchi district, as central place for ecological representation, in the research
development network system. Service of the Regional Research and Development Institute
and it peripheral adaptive research activities were completely paralyzed and RARDC is
temporarily functioning in Vavuniya district.

Regional Agriculture Research and Development Centre (RARDC)

Regional Agriculture Research and Development Centre

(RARDC) was established at Kilinochchi in 1977 as the
main research station to represent research activities of
dry zone of different ecological condition with
establishment of satellite adaptive research centres in
each district. This RARC with the support of other
established RARC in the country undertake research
activities subject to the condition for northern agriculture
development and mainly focus on innovative station trial under crop improvement program.
And the Adaptive research units undertake on-farm trial for verification of innovations to
particular locality and other solution providing research for crop management problem
encountered by the farmers.
Horticulture Sector Research Development

Horticulture sector of the region specially fruit sector is a promising sector due to its
exclusive potential for quality fruit production for export and enterprise development. As
mentioned earlier, to cater service to the proposed horticultural development projects for
commercial production with nucleus/ out- growers, intensified research on selected fruits
and vegetables will be undertaken at a site closer to the commercial orchards. This obviates
a new horticultural sub-unit to be established in the regional research station coordinated
with main Horticulture Research Development Institute.

Adaptive Research Development

Adaptive research functions are multifaceted and it has a key role in effective extension
service delivery Not only finding adaptation of technology to specific location or climatic
conditions but it help extension people in giving information regarding market, value
addition, economic analysis, system controlling etc. The needs of the adaptive research
service are well recognized in the concept of sustainable agriculture.

In the northern region characteristic of agriculture, Crops are cultivated in different edaphic
areas in the region resulting in a variation in productivity even with recommended
application of technology. The small-scale nature cultivation of food crops in the region tent
to involve as many farmers as in crop cultivation and not all farmers are same in resource
potential both in physical and financial, therefore adoption of resource demanding
conventional technology for crop production improvement will not be possible by all
farmers. A participatory approach in a farmer field school method to identify suitable and
appropriate technology which can be adoptable by resource poor farmers should be
initiated and further local technology for solution to problem be identified. This necessitates
adopting different principles of technology in differing potential area. Hence, adaptive
research become imminent and to be carried out with participation of farmers. Therefore,
Each District should be established adaptive research units under the administrative
purview of district extension office. The location of adaptive research unit establishment will
be identified considering the potential cultivation areas, edaphic variability and crop
discipline. There are five such adaptive research units should be established.

11.2. Strategies for Research Development

There are varies strategies that can be identified for research development on crop
improvement. However, the bellow mentioned strategies should be considered in research
development.

11.2.1. Participatory Research and Technology Development

The option for sustainable development is to encourage farmers’ involvement in research

findings. Participatory research and technology development programs should be facilitated
for farmer-friendly technology innovation which will make farmers as scientists and
promote need based research activities while focusing development research.
11.2.2. Precision Agriculture

By development of global positioning system (GPS) and global information system (GIS) the
precision agriculture can be explored in the region. This can facilitate for a specialized crop
production and development

Affiliation with University

Agri-business has interlinked two sector- production sector and business sector. Production
house should be linked with research and universities and the business house be linked with
business agencies. University will be offered research contracts to undertake research for
the development of new technology particularly for post-harvest operations (storage and
processing) with a view to reducing losses due to glut and low prices and for producing
processed products for the markets, socio economics studies in relation to technology
adoption and its impact on production improvement and economics of production. The
university should develop curriculum in such a way to have close relationship with farmers
and extension personnel during the course of study.

11. 3. Organizational development

Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of RARC

Strategy

The existing Regional Research Station in the region will be reconstructed and strengthened
and facilities improved to plan, organize and implement applied and adaptive research
programs in respect of paddy, other field crops, vegetables and fruits. Adaptive research
trials in farmer’s fields will be extended to cover micro agro-ecological regions. The research
stations will also undertake soil testing and also inventories of the soil resources to prepare
Soil Atlas of the region for optimum use.

Project Title :-

Rehabilitation of RARDC

Objectives

• To restart regional research activities

• To have research innovation suitable to regional climatic and edaphic conditions

District Research Centre and Adaptive Research Unit

District Research Units affiliated with adaptive research are necessary to strengthen the
participatory research and research- extension- farmer linkages. This unit will have a close
coordination with extension and be attached to district extension office in order to facilitate
field research, cross training and knowledge sharing. Further, farmers in the villages will be
visited frequently and supported morally by the extension and research office personnel
and research officers can easily join the extension staff to the field if they are attached to
extension office.
 Regional soil types are varied in the district with fertility level and soil organic content and
even the crop cultural practices such as irrigation methods and fertilizing differ according to
the soil and climatic conditions. This too needs to have an outreach research program with
extension.

Strategy

Farmer’s problem and technology needs vary with cropping practices. And the need for
participatory research development is recognized as eco-friendly technology development
and solution for location specific problems.

Objectives

• To research on location specific technology funding.

• To have participatory research and technology innovation facilities.
• To conduct technology verification trial with extension.
• To have better link of research-extension-farmer.
• To strengthen coordination of central and provincial services.

Project Title :-

Establishment of District Research Unit attached to Extension Division.

11.4. Personnel requirement for Research

One of the major resource constraints in the service institutions is lack of technical staff for
effectively carryout the research, extension and seed certification service in the region.
Scarcity of staff is major problem in each division in the department of agriculture.

Division Agriculture Research Research Agriculture Farm Lab

Officers Officers assistant Instructors machinery assistant
Instructor

Research - 25 25 7 - 10
units
 Chapter-12
Seed and Planting Material Development Centre (S&PMC)
The S&PMC attached to central departmental administration provides seed certification
service and supply of basic seeds for contract seed growers and coordinating seed supply
from the government seed production farm. Further contract seed growing activities are
undertaken through this service

This division is responsible for supply of basic seed for seed multiplication in the field and in
the farm and certifying quality seeds to farmer for crop cultivation. The service delivery of
the division is limited to certain area of the region due to its limited facilities in both human
and material resources. This division needs building and infrastructure for basic seed
production to supply to contract growers for further multiplication. As the service of
S&PMC is closely related with extension, this unit will be attached to extension division in
each district with the coordination to regional unit. A seed certification officer will be
attached to district DD’s office to coordinate all seed production activities in the district in
close collaboration with regional unit of S&PMC.

Rehabilitation of Seed and Planting Material Supply Service

Strategy

The Seed and Planting Material Unit will be strengthened with laboratory facilities for
testing of seed viability and germination. Testing of seed outside the region will cause
unnecessary expenditure and delay.

Project Title :-

Rehabilitation of regional offices at Kilinochchi , Mannar and Vavuniya.

Objectives

• To assure quality seed distribution.

• To develop out grower system.
• To regularize seed and planting material production.
• To strengthen regional seed production program.

Seed Certification Service Improvement

Strategy

Seeds will be produced by seed out growers. Several quality parameters determine the
quality of the seeds such as seed germination, varietal purity, etc. A timely monitoring and
supervision is necessary to advocate seed producers on field technology for quality seed
production. The seed certification unit delivers service in production of good quality seed to
the national standard by out-growers, whose seed production is supplementary to
government seed production and distribution. The out growers system is imminent for
quality seed supply for the requirement of the region. An Agriculture Instructor will be
attached to extension division to coordinate this service with S&PMC unit and arrange
contract growing farmers in the district. The region needs a full-fledged seed certification
service in each district to handle the seed production system to be developed in future.
 Project Title :-

Establishment of Seed Certification Unit attached to extension division in each district under
regional seed certification centre.

Objectives

• To produce basic seeds for multiplication in out grower system

• To deliver seed production technology service for standardization
• To strengthen coordination with central and provincial services
• To develop seed production committee

Improvement of Seed out growers System

Strategy

Formation of Seed Producers’ Association in each district will be will be advocated and
implemented with seed production unit’s net work. And formulate working modalities for
strengthening the society

Project Title :-

Formation of Seed Producers’ Association.

Objectives

• To regularize seed industrial promotion.

• To encourage private seed production.
• To privatize seed industry under quality control of Department of Agriculture.
• To make seed availability and accessibility to rural farmers

12.1. Personnel requirement for Seed and Planting material production and Seed
Certification Service
One of the major resource constraints in the service institutions is lack of technical staff for
effectively carryout the research, extension and seed certification service in the region.
Scarcity of staff is major problem in each division in the department of agriculture.

Division Agriculture Research Research Agriculture Farm Lab

Officers Officers assistant Instructors machinery assistant
SLAgS Instructor

Seed 01 02 - - 06 01
certification
units
Seed 05 - - 15 - -
&planting
material unit
12.2. Support needed by the Government

12.2.1. Crop insurance

Crop insurance scheme has not been implemented to all crops in the region. Crops are
subject to damage by inclement weather condition. Cash crops like chilli, red onion and
potato consume large amount of money for cultivation as such only limited farmers
cultivate these crops. If there is any assurance under crop insurance scheme for failure of
crop, most farmers can be encouraged. Therefore, reintroduction of crop insurance scheme
for major crops with attractive terms and conditions will facilitate farmers cultivating more
extent.

12.2.2. Farmers pension scheme

The scheme is being implemented in some part of the northern region and to be made
implementable in the other part by developing encouraging situation. The implementation
of farmers’ pension scheme is to be activated in the region and enrolled more beneficiaries
in this scheme.

12.2.3. Assistance for revitalization of agriculture

The prolong war situation has caused tremendous loss of productivity asset and economic
infrastructure. While economic infrastructure is rehabilitated, farmers who lost their
productive asset like agriculture implements machineries and water pumps etc have to be
supplied to them for restart their agriculture activities. Preparation of project proposal and
request for funding from the donor agent for assisting the community to revitalize
agriculture is to be done.
Action has to be taken for exploring project funding.
RECOMENDATION

Recommendation for organizational strengthening and motivation

• Since subjects and its matters related to crop sector development are not fully
devolved to provincial department of agriculture, statutes should be prepared in the
areas where applicable by the law in interest of the agrarian community under
provincial council authority.
• Use of good quality seed is indispensable in cultivation. Seeds certification is
necessary to maintain the seed standard. To have effective seed certification service,
Regional seed certification service should be made statute.
• Development of good quality planting material production and supply system with
standard is needed for continuous supply to requirement. This is possible by
developing private enterprises. Maintenance of standard of material production
privately have to be strengthened. Authority should be facilitated for Provincial
Department of Agriculture to register such enterprises and issue permit for
establishing nursery units with required standard in the region.
• Development of standard for organically produced sustainable crop product.
• A government intervention for legislation for incentive system or price system
favoring sustainable production method Designing and Introduction of a subsidy
system for sustainable resource uses is recommended
• A frame condition for community based participatory resource management to limit
resource exploitation can be developed by local government and authority.
• A legal provision for resource management to the province is recommended since
province remains responsibility of sustainable resource management.
• Provision of system for safety net or social security within the provincial system to
cover up emergency, epidemics circumstances that cause a drastic economic
overturn that cannot be cope up on the farmers own strategy.
• Development of a statutory body for market development
• Institutional development and strengthening of provincial department of
agriculture for planning and marketing and agro enterprise development in order to
cater effective and need based extension service specific to the region under
provincial administrative purview. See suggested organizational adjustment in the
annexure
• Patent Right for intellectual properties of the region to be confirmed.
• Establishment of a formalized micro credit system for a regularized and uniform
credit provision.
 Conclusion

A number of projects are indentified and elaborated for implementation in

short, medium and long term prospective. Though projects implementation for
crop production development is administratively in the hands of Agriculture
Department, the full benefit of the projects cannot be achieved without the
support of other public and private organizations. Activities of number of
public and private organizations support agriculture development but
coordination among the institutions in development program implementation
in such a way for people to get maximum benefit have still been needed.
Social auditing in activity performance and project implementation is a
necessary tool for coordination and accountability. Social mobilization towards
empowerment and social capital improvement towards capturing
development options are instrumental for full potential resource utilization.
Public, private and people participation is vital for growth achievement. A
structural rearrangement to that effect is necessary for effective rural
development which will definitely be based on agriculture development.
 Annexure - 01
Present Organizational Setup

Director of Agriculture

Deputy Director of Agriculture

Provincial
level

Technical section Administration section Financial section-

Account
AI (PR) Transference
Technology

Deputy Director of Agriculture (Ext.)

(05 District)
Administration
Technical section Branch
District
level Government Farm DATC

Segment Segment Agricultural

level Office

Range Agricultural
Frontline
officers Extension office
(84 Ranges)
 Suggested Organizational Structure Annexure - 02

Research Seed
Division - Dept. of Agriculture Head - certification
Division -

Socio- Economic Information, Marketing&

Planning & Resource Enterprise development
Provincial Management unit- Deputy Head of Dept unit
level

Technical section Administration section Financial section-

Account
Progress Audio Adaptive
monitoring Visual Research unit
Unit
District Agriculture office
(05 District)
Administration
Technical section Branch
District Seed & PM Training
level production section
section

Segment Adaptive Plant Segment Agricultural

Technology
Research Production Office
level Transfer Unit
Unit Unit

Range Agricultural
Frontline Progress Socio Extension office
Seed
officers monitoring & certification Economic (84 Ranges)
evaluation planning

155
 Annexure - 03

Logical Frame Matrix

Narrative summary Objectively Verifiable Indicators Means Of Verification Assumption/Risk
Goal

Provision of effective, quality, High literate population Availability of resource and social
needs based, sustainable Improved standard of living, Reduced poverty index motivation
Agriculture extension services to raised prosperity and social status Contribution to GDP
farming community for sound of the farming community Provision of required facilities and
and sustainable socio- economic Institutional strengthening
and livelihood development.
Prevalence of liberalized market
economy
Purpose
• To facilitate and pursue Increased farm production and Annual central bank report Open market economic situation,
adoption of sustainable livelihood improvement and Percentage Contribution to
base scientific technical Extension of crop cultivation Provincial and National GDP Liberal accessibility for inputs
applications for Progress report on quantity of
productive farming production
• To reach food and
nutrition security.
• To generate exportable Amount of Quality exportable Provincial GDP report Farmers’ acceptance in
surplus of agriculture surplus beyond self sufficiency in Central bank report cooperative/group action is high
production. food production Market survey report and
• To empower to be self Institutionalized production and percentage contribution to
reliance in organized marketing and No of farmer national equirmrent
agriculture crop production and market Market price report
production and marketing organization Bank report on private

156
 investment on crop production Favorable environment
High return on investment and entrepreneurship.
Reduction in post harvest loss
Demand and consumer
preference for crop based value
• To develop dynamic post added product exists.
harvest operation and Consumer and producer
agro- based enterprises Private participation improved. satisfaction Increased trend in natural food.
Forward sale and management High return on investment
contract arrangement increased. Higher price for synthetic food
product
Existence of viable Commercial Availability of different Ago based Adequate market net work
enterprise and small scale agro value added product in the linkages and information
based enterprise units market with brand name. connectivity

Market competition for local

• To achieve quality and branded product
quantity of service High participation in Adequate institutional
delivery Knowledge based self reliance development planning and development and strengthening
community developed activities. and organizational support.
Client satisfaction of the service
• To implement Demand for service Provision of necessary training
government policy in and adequate mobility for field
agriculture development monitoring and supervision.

Conducive and encouraging

environment for private
participation and investment with
no legal shortcoming and
practical bottleneck.

157
 Narrative summary Objectively Verifiable Means Of Verification Assumption/Risk
Indicators
Out put High literate population Conducive socio, physical
Crop sector development Food and nutrition Reduced poverty index and political climate and
1. Increased Quality & Quantity of crop production and security achieved No of assets owned policy frame
crop based value added product for self sufficiency Exportable surplus
2. Exportable surplus quality crop produced for production and Interest in private
competitive market Enterprise investment
a. Paddy sub sector improvement in production development Competition for product
,value addition and bran oil production market
b. OFC sub sector developed in production and value Quality export Donor agent support
addition enterprise potential fruits plants Central bank Report on Social integration
c. Horticulture sector quality produce developed and supply assured export
Established Quality fruits
a. Processing centre production
b. Banana dehanding centre Increased income by
d. Nucleus mother plants for quality fruit plants value addition
production development. Increased Progress report on fruits
opportunities for production and
employment percentage loss
Agro enterprise development Community
d. Post production sector developed ownership
d. Agro based micro enterprises developed Credit facilities, private
Reduction in market investments, market
supply chain No of viable enterprises demand availability
Market institutionalization Market oriented crop in the report
e. Market access and participation developed production
through Agriculture cooperative society revived No of market institutions
and market institutionalized. in the report

158
Institutions development Client satisfaction on
- Socio Economic & Resource Planning Unit Professional capacity local govt social survey
- Audio visual unit for effective, efficient report
- Plant protection unit sustainability, Support of donor agent or
quality, and quantity Government funding
of need based
extension service
delivery for client
satisfaction No of pro-poor
- Adaptive Research unit developed technologies available
Participatory for farmers.
- Rehabilitated of seed production farms and research No of research findings
facilities provided. development and rate of adoption
Regional specific tech
development
- Rehabilitated of RARC and facilities provided Approval of national
- Functions of ISTI for planning department
- Reconstructed In-service Training Centre and professional No of I.S.T program
facilities provided enhancement conducted on progress
training rweport

- Strengthened seed & planting material and Improved quality Amount of seed supplied
seed certification units supply of required in each year and
Seeds and Planting percentage use of good
materials quality seed by farmers
- Service strengthened with staff deployment Quality service on department progress Approval of cadre
and mobility given delivery to all report requirement
community
- Agriculture Technology and Enterprise Knowledge based Social survey report
Development Training Institute society development

159
 Narrative summary Objectively Verifiable Means Of Verification Assumption/Risk
Indicators
Input Quality extension Rate of Rural employment in Donor support in development
service agriculture sector in central
1. Extension service delivery system bank report High community participation
improvement
2. Supply of lost productive assets. Revival of agriculture Political support
Crop sector development activities
• Paddy area potential mapping. Soft loan schemes and Credit
• OFC crop development activities facilities with minimum
• Horticulture crop development Production and collaterals and function of credit
activities productivity agencies
3. Identification and mapping of nucleus improvement and
mother plants income generated Grant of approval for
4. Seed and planting material Production appointment by the authority.
and Supply of exportable quality fruit
plants
5. Value addition for home economic
activities

Agro enterprise development activities

6. Fruits Processing centre establishment Crop production Percentage labour force utilized
7. Banana Dehanding centre processing units for and
establishment value addition and Demand for natural food and
8. Post production sector development employment Percentage of unemployment private investment
activities opportunities on central bank report
9. Establish private modern Rice
processing mill
10. Value addition enterprise activities

160
Social institutionalization activities Social participation in
11. Market technology promotion activities crop production
12. Market institutionalization activities system
13. Reorganization of farmer cooperatives

Adequate provision of fund and

Institutional development activities Institutional and Project approval by the
14. Establish Socio economic & resource organizational authority
planning unit development and
15. Establish Audio visual unit strengthening for Progress report of the
16. Establish Plant protection units sustainable respective units
17. Establish Adaptive Research units agriculture demand No of Functional units in the
driven and needs organization
based service delivery
18. Rehabilitation of seed production farms Supply of quality seed
activities

19. Reconstruction of district agriculture Impart of Knowledge

training centre for under
20. Farm machinery training unit understanding

21. Rehabilitation of RARC activities Revitalized regional

Research and
technology
22. Reconstruction of In-service Training development
Centre activities Professional enhance
ment training on
hands on technology

161
23. Strengthening activities for seed & Contract Seed growers Adequate provision of fund and
planting material and seed certification Reduction in unemployment Project approval by the
units. Quality service and self employment bank authority
24. Provision of staff, mobility, and provision to all farmers report
capacity building training and facilities. Provision of
25. Agriculture technology and enterprise opportunity for youth
development training institutive and entrepreneurs to Policy frame available
capture the
development options
for self employment.

162
 Annexure - 04
Implementation Calendar
1. Paddy Sector Development
Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Paddy yield evaluation study for Schematic mapping of different
potential areas of paddy tract
Formation of crop producer cooperative society
Implementation of Organic rice farming demonstration and
development program
Motivation program for appropriate technology adoption
Rice bran oil production
Farm mechanization
Establishment of standard rice processing mill in the region
Domestic parboiling improvement development
Cottage level rice flour making and flour value addition.
Capacity building on Value addition technology development
Soil fertility improvement and conservation

2. Subsidiary Food Crop Sector

Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Capacity building on them ways of productivity improvement
Promotion of pulses under plantation crop land
Crop diversification under minor tanks
Crop diversification in paddy field
Expansion of maize cultivation
Identification and Mapping of the area for crop zoning
Capacity building Training and demonstration on value
addition technology
Establishment of community storage/ provision of storage
facilities for community
Organization and Provision of facilities for purchase &
storage by the community based cooperative farmers’ society

163
 3. Yam & Tuber Crops Development
Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Expansion of yam cultivation in the home stead
Production of yam planting materials
Yam value added product enterprise development
Promotion of off season potato cultivation under net
house

4. Oil Crop Development

Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Development of Improved Crop production management practices
Capacity building Training and demonstration on value addition
technology
Development Ground nut and Sesame seed production and supply
system
Feasibility study for Castor oil production
Cultivation of sun flower and oil production feasibility study

5. Fruit Crop Development

Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Development of fruit processing units in vital locations
Fruit crop production Improvement and management
Multiplication of export potential variety either by tissue culture method or by
pseudonymous planting material
Establishment of de-handing shed in specific location
Appointment of horticulture crop development specialist/ Subject Metter
Specialist
Establishment of horticulture farm with nucleus fruit plants for training
Integrated horticultural development program
Capacity building on fruit trees management

164
5.1 Mango
Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Capacity building on Mango tree management and quality fruit
production and demonstration
Development of Integrated pest management program for mango tree
Development and promotion of export potential mango fruit variety
within the region
Establishment of domestic market centres in the region

5.2 Jak
Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Production and promotion of export potential
varieties by supplying grafted good quality
seedlings

5.3 Pine apple

Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Extension of production technologies
Development of production and supply of planting material
system

5.4 Lime and Orange

Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Capacity building Training and demonstration at field level
Development of Lime Farm in identified suitable zone in the
region
Development of Production and supply system of sweet orange grafted
seedling

165
5.5 Papaw
Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Production and Productivity Enhancement
Papaw fruit related value addition technology
development

5.6 Avocado
Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Introduction of Avocado Fruit Plant of Homestead
Level

5.7 Grape vine

Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Expansion of grape vine cultivation with seedless
variety

5.8 Pomegranate
Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Expansion of pomegranate cultivation with consumer preference
variety

5.9 Guava
Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Promotion of Guava cultivation with the supply of consumer preference guava
seedling

166
 6. Condiments Crop Development
Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Establishment of demonstration plot with package of
practices
Development and Improvement onion seed production
system

7. Vegetable Crop Development

Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Development of protected agriculture system
Promotion of up country vegetable production
Development of value addition in vegetable and Supply of solar equipment for
vegetable dehydration
Promotion of leafy vegetable cultivation in home stead under sprinkler system
Potted agriculture promotion
Development of seed production and supply system
Introduction and Promotion of melon cultivation in homestead and selected
areas
Construction of local cold storage with intermediate technology to vegetable
producers
Promotion of eco –friendly technology applications in crop cultivation
Development of organic farming and carbonic fertilizer production in the
region

8. Cultivation of Aromatic Crop

Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Development of betel planting material production and supply to household
Supply of aromatic plants to house hold and training on spices seasoning
Explore the possibility of cinnamon cultivation at home stead
Explore the possibility of pepper cultivation and Supply of pepper plants to
homestead

167
9. Agriculture Enterprises Development
Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Promotion of Compost Making as Small Enterprise for income
generation
Promotion of wormy compost making units in house hold
Conduct compost making competition
Development of bio pesticide production units in the villages
Promotion of value added product preparation
Establishment of ornamental plant production and cut flowers
units in household and commercial basis
Development of Honey production units.
Mushroom Production and Development
Re-establishment and Promotion of Cashew Plantation
Expansion of cashew cultivation through Homestead Cultivation
Community forest development at Household
Bamboo development in marginal land
Development of hatchery bond for fingerlings supply

10. Agricultural Marketing

Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Establishing and strengthening Agriculture Cooperative
Societies
Establishment of regulated market.
Establishment of producers society and strengthening

168
11. Seed and Planting Material Production & Development
Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Establishment of seed processing unit in each district
Supply of mini kits with basic seeds and fertilizer for self seed
production
Establishment of seed processing unit
Establishment of private nursery units
Identification of mother plants and maintenance

Institutional Development
1. Extension Service Delivery Improvement

Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Establishment of audio visual unit at head office and Provision of Audio
visual equipments.
Improvement in agriculture broad casting service
Establishment of Socio economic planning and Resource management unit
in the department
Agriculture Product Marketing and Information Unit establishment
Establish Mobile Extension, Clinic and Soil Testing Service –A Mobile Unit
Establishment of cyber extension unit in each farmer training centre

169
 1. Extension Service Delivery improvement
Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Plant Protection Unit and Plant Clinic Service Improvement
Rehabilitation of agriculture extension centre cum quarters
Development of regional soil atlas
Development of effective research- extension -farmer linkage
Rehabilitation of District Agriculture Training Centre.
Modernization of Jaffna District agriculture training centre
Provision of facilities for training
Develop farm- machinery training unit at DATC in Vavuniya.
Establishment of farmer training centre at divisional level
Household economic development program
Provision of facility for field travelling
Professional enhancement for quality extension service
Rehabilitation of RARDC
Establishment of District Research Unit and adaptive research units
in each district
Rehabilitation of seed and planting material supply service
Establishment of seed certification unit in each district under
regional seed certification centre with adequate facilities
Formation of Seed producer’s association

2. Farmer Training Centre

Project 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Establishment of farmer training centre at divisional level
Establishment of agriculture vocational training and Technology
Institute

170
Prepared by

K. Subramaniam, B.Sc (Agric Eng) SL, M.Sc (Agric Ext) U.S.A, Dip in Public Management-
Provincial Director of Agriculture.

Assisted by

Mr .M. Jeganathan, B.Sc (Agric), M.Sc (Forestry) -Deputy Director, Mannar.

Mrs .J.Jeganathan, B.Sc(Agric), M.Phil( Pathology)-Deputy Director Vavuniya.
Mr. M .Kugathasan, B.Sc (Agric), M.Sc (Ext and Com)-Deputy Director (HQ).
Mr. A .Selvarajah, B.Sc (Agric), M.Sc (Renewal Natural Resource)-Deputy Director, Jaffna.
Mr. R .Kokuladasan, B.Sc (Agric)-Deputy Director, Mullaitivu.
Mrs. S. Anandarajah, (Dip in Agric) - Deputy Director, Kilinochchi.
AND
Mr. S.J. Arasagesary, B.Sc (Agric), M.Sc (Plant breeding), India-Deputy Director (Research)
Mr. S. Satheeskumar, B.Sc (Agric), Asst Director, Seeds Division
Mr.K. Sathiamoorthy, B.Sc (Agric), Agriculture Officer, Seed Certification Division.

Edited by

Prof. A.Sivayoganathan, Head, Department of Agriculture Extension, Faculty of Agriculture,

University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

171