May 08, Colombo (LNW): In alignment with President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s strategic vision, Sri Lanka is set to embark on a transformative pilot project in the Anuradhapura district, backed by a substantial investment of US$ 100 million to revolutionize agricultural practices.
The official agreement with Navita Capital of Portugal marks a significant milestone, signaling a firm commitment to the project’s realization.
With an investment totaling US$ 100 million, each farming family stands to receive an allocation of US$ 6,000, facilitating the adoption of solar pumps and other sustainable energy projects for agriculture.
Under President Wickremesinghe’s guidance and with support from Mohamed Nasheed, former President of Maldives and Secretary General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), this initiative underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to combating climate change and promoting sustainable development.
The execution of the project will be driven by the collaboration between ‘Our Movement Lanka’ and Nativa Capital, under the oversight of the Government of Sri Lanka.
This endeavor not only promises economic prosperity but also aims to empower farming communities with innovative technology and sustainable practices, creating employment opportunities, attracting foreign investment, and strengthening Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector.
Speaking at the ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ media briefing, Senior Advisor to the President on Climate Change, Ruwan Wijewardene, highlighted the collaborative efforts between the Climate Change Office of Sri Lanka, CVF, and Nativa Capital, culminating in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to uplift 15,000 farming families in the Anuradhapura district.
The pilot project, focusing on chilli, watermelon, and tomato cultivation, aims to address market access challenges faced by farmers, with Nativa committed to purchasing produce from the project.
Wijewardene emphasized President Wickremesinghe’s initiative to modernize agriculture, attracting investment from Nativa for advanced agricultural technology deployment. Upon successful implementation, the project will extend to other districts, revolutionizing the export economy and enhancing farmers’ quality of life.
The signing of the MoU saw the presence of key figures including Mohamed Nasheed, Secretary General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, Carlos Gomes, Executive Director of Nativa, Sandeep Samarasinghe, Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Australia, and Attorney-at-Law Kasturi Anuradhanayake.
