Sri Lanka: Better income from export products

Note from David: Some fragmental information about the Iranian pineapple market

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A better income can be derived by producing export oriented products, said Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris. The Minister said so addressing a meeting that followed the distribution of pineapple shoots among farmers of Pahala Beragama Neela Gajaba Collective Farm. Under this project 50 acres will be brought under pineapple cultivation by CR exports company funded by the OXFAM G.B.

Prof. Peiris said there are people who go to Colombo and other urban areas in search of greener pastures, as a result urban areas are now becoming congested. "This is an era when infrastructure development has been given top priority in the villages not in urban areas. Steps have been taken to set up more and more export villages. Then the farming community will be able to produce goods to the local market as well as the foreign market.

There is a great demand for pineapples in Iran. As such pineapple cultivation will be a money spinner. The country can derive a colossal sum in foreign exchange if the farming community produce export oriented agricultural products. The private sector has been identified as the engine of growth. This sector has expressed its willingness to help the farming community." He said prominence will be given for the export of vegetables and fruits.

"As a country we are draining a colossal sum of money in the form of foreign exchange for import of food items. This is a national disaster we should put an end to," he said. Sri Lanka Export Board Southern Province Manager Prasad Daluwatta, Project Director OXFAM GB Amith Weerasinghe were also present.


www.dailynews.lk, 12/12/2008