The inauguration of the first export–oriented pineapple cultivation zone of the country was held on Saturday (13) in Mellagama, Moneragala with the participation of Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and Law and Order Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara.
“It will yield 500,000 pineapples in the first year and double the yield in the following season.
“Then a farmer will get an annual income of Rs 1 million,” Minister Amaraweera said.
The zone was planned to provide Rs 3.1 million income for a farmer in four years.
It was set up under the Agriculture Development programme, Api Wawalai-Api Kanne, implemented by the Agriculture Ministry to stop importing vegetables, fruits, grams and other food products that farmers can easily grow.
Initially, 37 acres in Mellagama, Medagama will be cultivated and 37.5 acres have been given to 75 farmers for the purpose.
The Ministry facilitated the farmers with equipment and plants to the value of Rs 22.5 million.
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