Asia Edition
Currently, Sri Lanka imports pomegranate from countries like India. However, Sri Lanka’s Department of Agriculture has found that two varieties of pomegranates can be successfully grown in the island to give a high yield. These varieties, successfully grown by researchers in the areas of Norochcholai and Weerawila, will be released to farmers within two months.
After eight months, a tree will give a yield of 10 to 15 kilograms. A tree has a lifespan of about 35 years. The pomegranate will be released to farmers after approval from the Agriculture Department’s Varieties Releasing Committee.
Taking into consideration domestic needs, local cultivation will help save ‘large volumes of foreign exchange that is now going abroad”, Minister Amaraweera has stated. Domestic cultivation will help save foreign exchange.
Source: economynext.com
