- this programme is being implemented by the Ministry of Plantation Industries under the loan assistance provided by the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD). The project has achieved considerable progress by adding 5087 ha of Rubber new planting in Moneragala and 157 ha of Tea replanting in the Mid Country. A total of 164 Village Rubber Development Clusters have been formed in Moneragala and 241 Entrepreneur Groups have been formed in the Mid Country enabling them to engage in income generating activities and around 18,000 smallholders have directly benefited from this project. The proposal made by Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Plantation Industries, to extend the period of this programme as recommended by the IFAD, up to 2016?12?31, was approved by the Cabinet.