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| Happy farmers proudly standing in their maize field |
Amid the difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the farming community in Mahadiulwewa Agriculture Instructor Range (Segment D) of the Pannakulam Agrarian Service Centre Division, Trincomalee, has shown resilience by ensuring the production of maize in the Maha season 2021/22. The Deputy Project Director’s Office of the CSIAP in the Eastern Province provided 234 farmers, including 99 women farmers, with 2,200 kg of maize seeds worth Rs. 2,178,000 on a 75% concessionary basis. These seeds were cultivated on 440 acres across the region. The distribution was carried out through four Other Field Crops Produce Societies in Mahadiulwewa: Savipala, Ekamuthu, Miriswewa, and Rotawewa.
This initiative demonstrates that high yields and efficiency in maize cultivation are achievable when technical guidance is properly applied, and inputs are managed accurately in time and space. Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of Sri Lanka’s most important annual cereal crops, serving as both a staple food and a source of income for farmers in CSIAP areas. The processing and consumption of maize vary across Sri Lanka, with maize flour and meal being the most popular products. Supporting maize cultivation not only strengthens food security but also enhances livelihood opportunities for rural farmers in the Eastern Province.
