The decision has been made to construct the Third Sour Banana Export Processing Factory in the Muravasihena area of Hambantota at an estimated cost of Rs. 65 million. The Ministry of Agriculture has taken this initiative due to substantial orders for sour bananas in Sri Lanka from various countries.
To expand sour banana cultivation and processing, arrangements have been put in place to establish the third sour banana export processing zone encompassing Embilipitiya, Hambantota, and Sewanagala, covering 800 acres. The first sour banana export processing zone and processing center have already been set up in Rajanganaya, and the second one in Jaffna.
Under the Ministry of Agriculture’s agricultural sector modernization project, sour banana cultivation will be extended by 800 acres in Rajanganaya and 400 acres in Jaffna. Furthermore, discussions regarding the new sour banana export processing facility were held at the Ministry of Agriculture, with Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera Hon. Minister of Agriculture leading the conversation. This project is receiving financial support from the Post-harvest Institute of Technology, with an allocation of Rs. 65 million. All necessary machinery and equipment for the processing center will be procured from local manufacturers.
An export businessman based in Dubai has expressed interest in exporting not only sour bananas but also other vegetables such as pumpkin and cassava from Sri Lanka. Numerous countries have placed orders for various vegetables and fruits from Sri Lanka, which emphasizes the need for prompt action. The Minister of Agriculture has directed officials to ensure the timely completion of the Muravasihena Sour Banana Export Processing Center, targeting December as the completion date.
The third Sour Banana Export Processing Zone is expected to involve 800 farmers who will receive guidance and support, including the high-density cultivation method, technological resources, and equipment for banana cultivation, as part of the Agricultural Sector Modernization Project.
In his statement, Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera Hon. Minister of Agriculture highlighted the importance of motivating farmers to cultivate crops that are in demand. He stressed that the agricultural sector must take measures to make farming profitable in the country, as many farmers tend to opt for less lucrative crops, resulting in lower yields and income due to limited market demand. However, there are various agricultural products with international demand that can be successfully cultivated in Sri Lanka, such as sour bananas, which are now in high demand. The Agriculture Sector Modernization Project provides the necessary state-of-the-art technology and standards for international export, and efforts are underway to export sour bananas to the Dubai market every Saturday.
