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Fruit growers of Katana seek better prices for produce
For several years since 2014, the people in the Gampaha District have been encouraged to become fruit growers, while there have been efforts to revive rice growing.
A fruit grower
In the hinterland of the district, in Katana, some have taken up the challenge of growing fruit either as self-employment, or for commercial gains, and have sought support from Ministry of Agriculture initiatives. The Katana Agrarian Divisional Centre which comprises of two Divisional Secretariats, Negombo and Katana, 73 Grama Seva Divisions and 24 Agrarian Research and Production Assistant Divisions, started awareness programmes and long term and short term projects to improve the rice harvest and fruit production.
In this area, which is home to 251,443 people, there are 24 main govijana organisations and 69 women’s farmer groups with 1,831 women involved in projects.
The Katana Agrarian Divisional Centre has encouraged fruit growers, providing 3,400 soursop plants (katu anoda), also known by its biological name, annona muricata, and helped to revive dormant paddy lands.
An official of the Agrarian Office in Katana said that the Katana Agrarian Research Centre found in a study that, of 267.8 hectares of paddy fields in the area only 105 hectares are cultivated. But after providing assistance including loans and even sending red notices, 71.32 hectares of paddy fields that had not been sown for some years were re-cultivated last year.
Mr D.A.H. Jayasooriya of Batapaththala in Katana, who owns 10 acres, claimed that katu anoda is good for persons suffering from ailments like cancer, rheumatism and kidney problems. “I have planted papaya and anoda since I too want to see a healthy nation. I have employed two workers and pay them about Rs 60,000 a month. Actually I need not invest in this as I have some income from my coconut estates, but I too, was compelled to do this as we were encouraged by Mrs D.N. Geethani Dasanayake, the agrarian research and production assistant in this area. I have grown about 1,000 papaya called ‘Sun Lady’, 500 anoda and 500 pepper plants.’’
But, he said, not receiving a reasonable price for the produce is a disincentive.
“We get only Rs 30 for a kilo of papaya. A kilo of pepper at the market goes even from Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,800. But now a kilo is sold at Rs 400. So the government should do something to give us a reasonable price. Otherwise no one will grow subsidiary crops at their own cost.’’
Geethani Dasanayake, the agrarian research production assistant in charge of east and west Katana, has been serving since 1999 and claimed the first place for entrepreneur in the 2018 Govi Abhimana Competition at the divisional level.
“Some are doing it for self employment, while for others, it is a means of earning an additional income,’’ she said. “They start new ventures with our instructions, but when they are unable to find a better market they give it up. So the government should help them. The government should soon stop imports. The market is full of imported apples, oranges, and grapes, which are poisoned.’’ Another fruit grower, S.A.S.Ravi Silva , a member of the Saubhaagya Govi Association said, he started planting 200 katu anoda plants last year.
“Upto now I have spent about Rs 100,000. We are not using any chemicals but only the carbonic fertiliser.’’