Moves to increase indigenous food crops

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

The Hadabima Authority has taken measures to increase the indigenous food crop production to meet the demand in the local market. The demand for indigenous food has increased due to their high nutrition level, said Hadabima Authority Chairman Nandasena Herath.

He added that it is necessary to increase the production of indigenous food crop seeds to meet this demand. The Hadabima Authority has already taken measures in this regard. The authority has trained 1,000 farming families of Thanamalwilla and Wellawaya Divisional Secretariats to cultivate 1,000 acres of land. The authority will donate peanut, maize, green gram, kaupee and kurakkan seeds for farmers.

Although there are various types of hybrid seed varieties in the market, the demand for indigenous seed varieties increase day by day. Most of the people are aware of their value. Indigenous food varieties are more immune to pest attacks and have high nutritional value, Herath said.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/09/14/news52.asp