January 27, Colombo (LNW):The Small-Scale Agri-Entrepreneurship Participation Programme (SAPP) in Sri Lanka has earmarked Rs. 4 billion for maize cultivation during the upcoming Yala season. Having allocated Rs. 10 billion for cultivating 40,000 acres of maize in the previous Maha Season, the program aims to support farmers by providing financial allocations for maize cultivation, seeds, fertilizers, and land preparation costs on a non-recovery basis.
The financial assistance and support will be extended to farmers in the Anuradhapura, Hambantota, Badulla, Ampara, and Monaragala districts to promote maize cultivation.
Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, during a visit to observe maize cultivation in the Kasagala area, directed the Small-Scale Agri-Entrepreneurship Participation Programme to offer necessary concessions to farmers for the Yala Season cultivation. Despite reports of the Fall Armyworm epidemic affecting maize cultivation in various areas, the Minister noted the successful cultivation in the Kasagala region.
For the last Maha Season, the Small-Scale Agri-Entrepreneurship Programme supported the cultivation of 5,000 acres of maize in the Hambantota District through concessions. Minister Amaraweera emphasized the importance of continuing and expanding such initiatives to boost maize production in the country.
In the previous Maha Season, a total of 80,000 acres of maize were planted nationwide, with an expected harvest of 350,000 metric tons, according to the Agriculture Department.
