The objectives of growing Iceberg Lettuce in Poly-green Houses in the Nuwara

Tag : lettuce
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board along with the Sri LankaNational Chamber of Commerce has launched a project to grow IcebergLettuce in Poly-green Houses in the Nuwara Eliya District. Theobjectives of the project are to improve quality and productivity,Sustainable livelihood development of the people in the area, toencourage people for self employment, improve profitability of theventure, and to acquire standards such as GMP&GAP required forthe International Market.

Funds for the construction of Poly Green Houses will be provided bythe Government of Netherlands channelled through the NationalChamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka.
Under the first stage out of 50 recommended farmers 14 have beenselected to receive Poly green houses. A farmer association is setup and which is linked to an established Exporter who will buy backthe produce. The estimated cost for setting up a Poly-Green Houseis Rs.300, 000 out of which Rs. 250,000 will be provided as a grantfrom the Government of Netherlands with the farmers contributingthe balance.

Cultivation is expected to commence by end June once the Poly-Green houses are set up. The Nuwara Eliya Poly-Green HouseAssociation set up in order to carry out the project will signagreements with the National Chamber of Commerce and the ExporterCompany.

Farmers will be provided with the Technical know how and training,selection of crops while inputs will be provided by the ExporterCompany. On the recommendations of the Exporter Company the farmerswill receive Fertilizer, Agro Chemicals and Growing Media atconcessionary prices. A revolving fund will also be set up witha10% contribution from the proceeds of sales in order to expand theactivities of the Association.

Offer letters will be awarded to selected farmers on Saturday(26th) at a ceremony held in Nuwara Eliya. Minister of ExportDevelopment and International Trade Professor G.L. Pieris will bethe chief guest at the event while senior officials of the EDB andthe National Chamber of Commerce will be present on the occasion.




Publication date: 5/5/2008