Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2011-09-21

Commencing a Third Cultivation Season Under State Patronage

- the proposal made by Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Minister of Agriculture, to commence a Third Cultivation Season between Yala and Maha Seasons for the cultivation of short term leguminous food crops such as, green gram, cowpea, black gram, with the objective of increasing food production and reducing food imports and also to provide opportunities for farmers to generate additional income, was approved by the Cabinet. The Government intends to encourage farmers to cultivate leguminous crops utilizing organic fertilizer for these food crops which would in turn reduce the use of imported chemical fertilizers and also increase the fertility of the soil. The new cultivation season will be from August to October and the introduction of this new season would enhance the extent of land utilize for agricultural purposes. Suitable areas identified for cultivation of these short term crops are Hambantota, Moneragala, Anuradhapura, Ampara, Polonnaruwa, Kurunegala and Hasalaka as well as Mahaweli Systems of Galnewa and Girandurukotte.