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Approval granted for export-based strawberry cultivation project
COLOMBO (Daily Mirror) - Since there is a high demand for strawberries in the world market, the Agriculture Ministry has approved a project to grow strawberries for export.
The approval for this project was granted by Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera after a proposal was presented by a group of local investors for the implementation of the project as soon as possible.
"There is still a minimal demand for strawberries grown in our country since they are not cultivated using modern technology. Sri Lanka is ranked 57th among strawberry-exporting countries. Strawberry has a rapidly increasing annual market and as a soft fruit it is extremely popular," Minister Amaraweeera said.
During the meeting at the Ministry, it was agreed to provide one hectare of land in Nuwara Eliya belonging to the Ministry, as a pilot project under the first phase.
Depending on the success of this project, up to 10 hectares can be given for strawberry cultivation if needed, the Minister assured.
If strawberries are cultivated with the use of new technology, it is possible to earn an income of around USD 117,600 per year from one hectare. It is also possible to get a yield of 120,000 kg from a single hectare. Also, the amount invested to cultivate one hectare is Rs. 250 million, the investors have pointed out.
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