Ambul Kesel brings dollars | Daily News

Ambul Kesel brings dollars

The Rajanganaya Ambul Kesel (Sour Banana) Cultivation Project, which is being implemented under the Agricultural Sector Modernization Project (ASMP) established to modernize Sri Lanka’s agriculture under World Bank assistance, has now become very successful.

This Ambul Kesel cultivation has been carried out targeting the international market and the project has also provided scientific and technical training to farmers to carry out all activities including Ambul Kesel cultivation, harvesting and packaging according to international standards.

Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Mahinda Amaraweera recently visited Rajagannaya to review the progress of this project. Parliamentarian Duminda Dissanayake and Project Director Dr. Rohan Wijekon were present.

This plantation supplies 152,264 kg of high quality Ambul Kesel to the local market annually. These sour bananas are supplied to several foreign countries and one metric tonne is sold at prices between US$ 600-700. Project Director Rohan Wijekon said that the farmers who grow Ambul Kesel in Rajangana have earned US$ 28,000 for the country by exporting Ambul Kesel in the first six months of this year.

At present, 642 farmers in Rajanganaya have been selected for cultivating Ambul Kesel and 160 farmers have started cultivation. The objective of this project is to engage all the selected farmers in Ambul Kesel cultivation.

Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that the programme of strengthening the local farmers’ economy implemented under the Agriculture Sector Modernization Project is being implemented by introducing various projects in many districts.

It is difficult for the farmers to get income due to the traditional framework of agriculture. The Minister said that the ability of farmers to get high income even with limited space by using new knowledge and technology in agriculture and new seeds is clearly evident through the Rajangana Ambul Kesel Project. 


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