Northern Province Chief Secretary Saman Bandulasena yesterday said that Northern province farmers have succeeded in earning more than US$ 100,000 per week by exporting sour plantains produced in the province.
He said that plans are under way to increase the income earned from the sour plantains import to US$ 500,000 within the next three months. He said that an extent of 8,000 acres of land has been identified for the distribution among young entrepreneurs for the implementation of
agricultural project using cutting edge technology under the instructions of Northern Province Governor P.S.M. Charles.
“It has been planned to export mango, papaw and passion fruit harvest in the province soon,” he said. He said that they are also targeting bring an extent of 1,000 acres in the province under cultivation of chillies to fulfill the chilli requirements of the Northern Province and thereby raise the living standards of the farmers.
These facts were revealed in a recent progress review meeting held in Jaffna with Northern Province agricultural officials.