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Crop Diversification in the Asia-Pacific region - United Nations in ...

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<strong>the</strong> relaxation of import restrictions <strong>the</strong> onion extents <strong>in</strong> this area decl<strong>in</strong>ed result<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a fall<strong>in</strong> production.3.7.3 Sweet Potato Production <strong>in</strong> Low Country Wet and Intermediate ZonesSweet potato was ma<strong>in</strong>ly cultivated only <strong>in</strong> well dra<strong>in</strong>ed soils <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> wet zone of SriLanka. In 1980, <strong>the</strong> crop was <strong>in</strong>troduced to <strong>the</strong> m<strong>in</strong>or irrigation projects <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Godakawelaarea of <strong>the</strong> low country wet and <strong>in</strong>termediate zones. Sweet potato was cultivated only dur<strong>in</strong>gdry seasons <strong>in</strong> rice fields where rice was always <strong>the</strong> lead<strong>in</strong>g crop <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> wet season. Ow<strong>in</strong>g to<strong>the</strong> success of <strong>the</strong> production effort, <strong>the</strong> cultivation extent <strong>in</strong>creased rapidly and today thisarea accounts for about 20 percent of <strong>the</strong> national production of sweet potato.3.7.4 Banana Production <strong>in</strong> ‘Udawalawe’ Irrigation SchemeBanana is a water-lov<strong>in</strong>g crop that can be grown successfully <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> dry zone withirrigation facilities. This crop was <strong>in</strong>itially cultivated <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> lands where <strong>the</strong> water supplywas <strong>in</strong>adequate for rice cultivation. In 1986 <strong>the</strong>re were only 251 ha of banana <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> projectarea and today <strong>the</strong> extent has <strong>in</strong>creased to nearly 4,000 ha with an average productivity of 25t/ha/yr. Several reasons can be attributed for <strong>the</strong> success of this diversification programme.These are:• Attractive <strong>in</strong>come from <strong>the</strong> crop (SL Rs. 200,000 – 250,000/ per ha/year).• Strong agriculture extension programme.• Presence of an efficient market<strong>in</strong>g network.• Suitability of <strong>the</strong> land.4. CROP DIVERSIFICATION AS A STRATEGY4.1. Food and Nutritional SecurityCurrently, most of <strong>the</strong> key food crops are grown <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> island. However, <strong>in</strong> order tomeet <strong>the</strong> national demand a larger quantity has to be imported annually (Table 6).Table 6. The National requirement of some of <strong>the</strong> essential food commodities<strong>in</strong> 2000<strong>Crop</strong> Requirement(Mt.)Extent to beCultivated (ha)PresentProduction (Mt)Maha YalaRice 2,035,000 667,835 381,905 1,781,048Dry chilli 34,100 17,040 11,780 15,000Chilli green 285,00 5,440 11,780 15,000Red onion 35,900 17,040 5,280 42,600Big onion 126,000 165 4,640 62,700Potato 101,300 3,000 2,560 11,759Maize 166,000 34,005 4,175 31,400Green gram 40,000 14,190 5,760 13,800122

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