Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2011-04-27

The Sustainable Agriculture Water Management Project (SAWMP) ? An Assessment of Progress of Phases 1 & 11

- the above project combines a number of innovative technologies to increase small farm productivity, raise incomes and improve livelihoods of rural farm families throughout the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. Under Phases I and II of the project, 10,000 solar powered drip irrigation units have been provided to small farmers in the dry zone under a concessionary financing scheme, by the Ministry of Agriculture. The Phase I of the project valued at US $16.1 million has been implemented under a loan from Australian Export Finance & Insurance Corporation and the City Group and has supplied 5000 of these units to farmers in 11 dry zone and intermediate zone districts. Phase II of the project has supplied another 5000 units covering 17 dry and intermediate zone districts, including the North and the East. The proposal made by Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Minister of Agriculture, to purchase 5000 Units of Solar Power Drip Irrigation Systems under Phase III of the project with the financial assistance from the State Banks, was approved by the Cabinet.