SADP’S Sooriyawewa Model Farm imparts agricultural best practices
The Sustainable Agricultural Development Programme (SADP) is Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC’s (CTC) flagship CSR project. The programme to-date has touched the lives of over 16,300 families and over 66,442 beneficiaries in 16 districts across the country. SADP is a unique programme designed to empower rural villagers living below the poverty line in Sri Lanka. Working on the philosophy of “helping those who are willing to help themselves”, some of the salient features of SADP are voluntary registration, no cash hand-outs and the increment of input, which is based on the commitment of the beneficiaries to rise above poverty.
In recent years, SADP has evolved to meet new national challenges, resulting in hybrids of the original programme. One such example is the extension of the SADP programme by developing a model farm in Sooriyawewa. This project known as “SADP Mega” is carried out in collaboration with the Na Sevana Development Project. The Sooriyawewa model farm project was initiated in 2011 and through this CTC has introduced many pioneering agricultural techniques, practices and innovations to farmer beneficiaries.
A plant nursery has also been established and is being maintained by CTC in Sooriyawewa. On a recent visit to Sri Lanka, Mr. Graeme Amey, South Asia Area Director for British American Tobacco visited the farm and inaugurated the plant nursery. The aim of this nursery is to provide farmers around the area with a range of high quality saplings including Dragon Fruit, Lime, Orange, Pomegranate, Kathurumuranga, Bougainvillea, Jasmine, Areca Nut, Guava, Passion Fruit, Pepper, Beetle, Mango, Neem, Jak Fruit, Cashew, and Papaya. Special focus is placed on fostering the cultivation of the indigenous crop of Neem, the leaf and seed kernel of which is essential in the preparation of a botanical formulation used for “Integrated Pest Management” (IPM).
In addition to IPM, the farm utilizes gravity-based sprinkler irrigation during the Yala harvest
season and during periods of drought. The farm further adopts straw mulching to retain water, which is especially valuable during seasons of drought. This technique also controls weeds in the short term, while functioning as organic manure (compost) in the long run, a fertilizer widely used within the farm.
CTC employs the Sooriyawewa model farm to contribute to maintaining bio-diversity, while imparting innovative agricultural techniques, environmental best practices and knowledge to the farmers in the area. The produce from the 12 acre model farm includes permanent crops such as Soursop, Mango, Guava, Lime, Orange, Pomegranate, King Coconut and Kathurumurunga, as well as other seasonal crops.
REUETRS: The average price of Kenya’s top grade Broken Pekoe Ones tea rose slightly to US $3.91 per kg at this week’s sale from US $3.86 per kg at the last auction, traders said on Thursday.
Kenya is the world’s leading exporter Of black tea and the crop is a major foreign exchange earner in east Africa’s largest economy, together with horticulture and tourism.
Africa Tea Brokers (ATB) said Best BP1s sold at between US $4.30-$3.52 per kg compared with US $4.52-US $3.20 per kg at the previous sale held on December 20 and 23.
Brighter Pekoe Fanning Ones (PF1s) fetched US $2.90-$2.54 per kg from US $2.86-$2.50 per kg at the previous auction.
ATB said 99,710 packages were offered for sale, with 10,238 unsold. At the previous auction, 114,336 were offered, with 15,089 unsold.