The Fruit Promotion Week which was inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 14th July has attracted the public attraction.
According to the Director of Fruit Crops Research and Development Consultant Horticulturist Dr. Subha Heenkenda, the first day of the Fruit Carnival (14) had drawn more than 10000 people and on the 3rd day more than 140,000 people had visited the event. She said that they expect more people during the weekend.
“The eagerness of the people to consum fruits and fruit crop is evident by the large crowds visiting the this fruit promotion week. One who has a nursery at the Fruit Carnival revealed that they have earned Rs.138,000 on the first day of the Carnival and it has increased up to Rs.217,000 by selling fruit plants.There are 08 Nurseries aat the Fruit Carnival and the nursery of Agriculture Department has earned more than Rs.500,000 on Wednesday (16) alone” added Dr. Subha Heenkenda.
Meanwhile, seminars for promoting the fruits and crops are also being carried out by experts in the field, at the premises of Fruit Crop Research and Development Centre from 10.00am to 11.00am during the Fruit week.
2014.07.18 – Agricultural Tourisms and Agri-horticulture by Dr. R.Maha Liyanarachhchi from the University of Sabaragamuwa
2014.07.19 - Nutrition and medical value of Fruits by Director of Government Hospital, Horana
2014.07.20 - Scientific Tree Training and pruning by Director of Fruit Crops Research and Development Consultant Horticulturist Dr. Subha Heenkenda
2014.07.21 - Fruit packaging, preserving and Marketing by Dole Lanka PVT LTD
More than 200 local fruits and plants including Avocado, Durian, Mangoes, Papaya, Pineapple, Cashew Fruit, Nelli, Red Grapes, Jaffna Grapes, Sour Sup, Passion fruit, Wood apple, Star fruit, Bull's Heart, Sapodilla, Rose apple, Namnam, Ambrella, Sweet Orange, Rambutan, Jackfruit, Banana ( Banana- Golden Sour, Banana-Golden, Banana-Cavandish ), Water Melon, and others are available at the Fruit Carnival.
Knowledge and techniques of fruit cropping, tools of cropping and the fruit foods and recipes are also available for any type of visitors such as public, buyers, specialists in the field, entrepreneurs and students or researchers. Moreover, Fruit Crop Research and Development Centre aspires to afford technical knowledge of the field, raw materials, financial loans, solutions for difficulties of cropping, solutions for lack of market to the present or upcoming entrepreneurs who are engaged with fruit related matters.
Director Dr. Subha Heenkenda request the all to drop in to the 200 Grams Fruit Carnival and get the experience of fruit promotion week 2014 in order to accustom for for consuming fruits more and more ineveryday life. The promotional week will conclude on 21st July.
SDF/KH
