Harvesting cowpea  in the field

The COVID -19 pandemic occurred in end 2019 will limit the future food supply of the country owing not only to the limited availability of food items in the export market but also to the unhealthy financial status of the country to import those. Under this circumstance, the Government of Sri Lanka has launched a Saubhagya National Food Production Drive persuading the cultivation of all food crops. Consistent with the AgStat volume XVI (Department of Agriculture, 2019), it was noted that from the total importation of food items, OFC alone utilizes 39.26% of the food import bill. Further, the decision recently taken by the cabinet of ministers to limit imports except pharmaceuticals and petroleum will create a food shortage in the market in the short run.

To face this situation, the Presidential Task Force established to fight for Covid 19, has declared the promotion of food crops as an urgent need and which has become a high priority in the country at present. This task force has identified Maize, Mung bean, Ground nut, Cowpea, Kollu, Sesame, Kurakkan, Chili, Soya, B Onion, Red Onion, Black gram, Turmeric and Ginger as the main crops to be given priority.

Main the objective  of the Yala 2020

To support more than 7,000 farmers in hot spot areas of 11 districts to cultivate OFCs in 4,029.4 acres to increase food production in the country and the annual farmer family income by 10%.

Beneficiaries of  Yala 2020

The number of direct beneficiaries of the sub-project is 7074 farmers in all hot spot areas. Out of which 4882 farmers are male and 2192 are female. No of women headed farmer families involved in the sub-project is 384.

Type of agriculture inputs and assistance for beneficiaries.

It is proposed that the selected farmers will be provided with seed materials required for the cultivation of identified crops. the table  shows the seed requirement different OFC crops that would be cultivated under the project.

Crops proposed to be cultivated and the seed requirement.