Ginger to be grown in Alawwa

A ginger cultivation zone will be set up in Alawwa to save money spent on ginger importation, Agriculture Department sources said.

The officials of the Api Wawalai -Api Kanne scheme mooted by Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera to stop import of vegetables, fruits, grams and other food items that can be grown in the country initiated the project.

The Ministry has already setup mango, chili, grape, and pineapple cultivation zones among others.

The government had spent Rs 1,315 million on importing ginger and turmeric in 2017.

President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed the Agriculture Minister to take measures to cultivate fruits, vegetables and ginger as intercrops on coconut lands and to use them for bee keeping as well.

Additional crops will be cultivated as intercrops on coconut and rubber lands, ministry sources said.