Rs. 24,000m from minor export crops

An income of Rs. 24,000 million was earned from minor export crops last year, said Minor Export Crop Promotion Minister Reginald Cooray in Parliament yesterday.

He further stated that an income of Rs. 50,000 million is expected from minor export crops next year. The minister made this observation joining in the committee stage debate of the Appropriation Bill 2012, when the Finance Heads of Minor Export Crops Promotion were taken up.

The minister observed that cinnamon cultivation is highly satisfactory.

He noted that minor export crops will be cultivated in another 3,000 hectares shortly. Plans are afoot to plant 15 million minor export crop saplings during the 'Maha' season.

He said that Army camps and empty grounds in prisons will also be utilized for minor export crop cultivation.

He said that minor export crops are being cultivated in 100 hectares of the 600 hectares in the Homagama Army Camp.

He said that Rs. 11 million had been earned from cashew production and plans are in motion to increase this income up to Rs. 12 Million next year. SM, IR and DM