PROPOSED AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN VAVUNIYA DISTRICT

– NORTHERN PROVINCE SRI LANKA

Project Preface
The program initiative by the
Government of Sri Lanka to provide
lands to the young entrepreneurs has
been inspired us and prepared this
project report to attract Foreign Direct
Investment to Sri Lanka. We preferably
choose Northern Province due to the
availability of land and the labor.

1.1 Rainfall
 PROPOSED AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN VAVUNIYA DISTRICT
– NORTHERN PROVINCE SRI LANKA
1.2 Tempreature

1.3 Sunlight Availibility

 PROPOSED AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN VAVUNIYA DISTRICT
– NORTHERN PROVINCE SRI LANKA
2. Crops planning to cultivate

2.1 Cassava
2.2 Black gram
2.3 Papaya
2.4 Ground nuts

2.1 CASSAVA(Manioc) FARMING

The project aims at cultivating high quality cassava for export and value-added products.

Basic Agricultural Data

It can be grown from sea level up to 1200 m.
The highest root production can be expected in the lowlands, below 1500 m altitude, where
temperatures average 25-27°C , it can be grown where annual rainfall is as low as 500 mm or
where it is as high as 5,000 mm.
 PROPOSED AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN VAVUNIYA DISTRICT
– NORTHERN PROVINCE SRI LANKA
Manioc plants can survive on any type of soil, but sand and loam are the most favorable for
optimal growth. This is due to the high soil moisture storage capacity of the two soils and the
nutrients required for cassava tubers and leaves.
This crop grows well in acidic soils. PH range 4 - 6.8.
Detailed financial information is attached below

ITEM PER ACRE (LKR) PER KILOGRAM

Planting materials (cuttings)+ Transport 5000.00 0.30

land preparation (from Hire tractor) 6000.00 0.37
FERTILIZERS
Organic (animal 2.50 /Kg) 25000.00 1.51
Inorganic(tsp/mop) 18250.00 1.10
LABOR
Hired labor 32,500.00 2.01
contract basis (15) 2,700.00 0.16
land RENT
temporary site office (container office) 3000.00 0.18
Stores ( 40 x20 =800 SQFT) 350.00 0.02
Transport cost (18,000 kmx30.00) 1,066.00 0.06
Food/ accommodation (inspection visit) 360.00 0.02
Toilets (5 units) 334.00 0.02
PERMEANT STAFF 0.01
Farm manager 01, 125000.00
Field assistant 03, 180000.00
General Clark 01, 50,000.00 2,340 0.14
Office assistant, 35,000.00
 PROPOSED AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN VAVUNIYA DISTRICT
– NORTHERN PROVINCE SRI LANKA

unanticipated expenditure 5% 4600.00 0.01

Total cost 101500.00 6.15

Income (35.00 /kg) 16500 kg per Acre 577,500.00 35.00

476,000.00 28.85
Net profit

One cultivation cycle is 9 months

The cost of labor can be reduced by up to 50% with improved mechanical equipment

 Mechanical weeding
 rigger with tractor
 Harvesting machine
If the above machines are used for cultivation, the capital expenditure will be recovered within
a short period of about two years.
 PROPOSED AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN VAVUNIYA DISTRICT
– NORTHERN PROVINCE SRI LANKA

2.2 Black Gram

The main reason for choosing this crop is because it is the main ingredient in the staple diet of
many people in Sri Lanka. Also, because there is a uniform market demand throughout the
year.

Environmental /growth requirement

Prefer dry whether condition, Optimum T between 25 C - 35 C Maturity period should be
Coinciding with the dry whether condition for high yield and quality seeds (this is one of the
criteria to decide time of planting)

 Optimum soil requirement pH 6-7

 Well drained soil
 Suitable Climatic Zones Dry & intermediate
 Rain fed uplands - maha / yala Mono culture
 Planting method Put 2 seeds/hill and thin out weaker plant after 10-12 days
 Space between rows - 30-40 cm (12 "- 16" )
 Between plant in a row - 10cm (2 .6 - 3")
 Depth of seeding - 1-1.5cm
 PROPOSED AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN VAVUNIYA DISTRICT
– NORTHERN PROVINCE SRI LANKA
Seed requirement 6 – 8 kg per acre
Primary land preparation cost (per acre)

Index Description Cost LKR

1 Removal of scrub using Bush cutter (2 man-days+ 15,000
Machine rent +fuel)
2 Removal roots using human labor 20,000
3 Deep ploughing using a disk plough 7500
4 Tiler 7000
5 Initial land preparation cost per acre 49,500

Basic ground preparation is a common task for all field crops

Planting & Maintenance

index Description Cost LKR

1 Seeds 500.00 x 8 4000
2 The cost of black gram Sowing in 1 acre 8000
3 cost of fertilizers + labors 7000
Urea 25 Triple super phosphate 40, Murate of
potash 30 kg/ha
4 cost of weeding 6 labors = 2000 x 6 =12000.00 12,000
5 cost of black gram Harvesting 1 acre 6000
Plants were cut manually with the help of
sickle. To harvest one acre black gram farmer
need to employ 3 labors, (3X2000)
6 The cost of drying and threshing after 10,000
harvesting.
Harvested produce will be kept for drying after
which seeds were separated by beating up with
the help of wooden sticks. Drying, separation of
seeds and winnowing can be done with the
help of 5 labors. (5X2000)
 PROPOSED AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN VAVUNIYA DISTRICT
– NORTHERN PROVINCE SRI LANKA

Cost Per Acre / Black Gram Farming

Index Description Cost LKR1

1 Cost of land preparation 14500.00
Cost of seed material 4000.00
Cost of sowing 4800.00
Fertilizer cos 10200.00
Cost of weeding 14400.00
Cost of Plant protection –Insecticides 2500.00
Cost of miscellaneous activities 3000
Cost of harvesting 3600
Cost of drying and threshing 6000
Cost of 1-acre black gram farming 63,000
Extra 10% of total cost 5200
Estimate cost for one Acre cultivation 69,300

Average yield of a farm cultivated with Apply fertilizer and pesticides 850-1000 kg
The total income from one-acre black gram cultivation:
The market price for Black gram
dated on 01-11-2020is Rs. 700 .00 per Kg

Total income as described above 700 x 850 595,000 .00- 700,000.00

But considering the wholesale selling price of the last three years and other market data, the
minimum price assumed to be available next season is Rs. 400.00

Earnings at that hypothetical minimum price 850 x 382,500.00

450

Net profit one acre 382,500 – 69,300

313,200.00
 PROPOSED AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN VAVUNIYA DISTRICT
– NORTHERN PROVINCE SRI LANKA

Papaya is one of the most popular fruit plants grown widely under tropical and sub-tropical
climatic conditions. It is the most important fruit plant in the home gardens, and green papaya
is also used as a vegetable. It is one of the few fruit plants which yields throughout the year,
gives quick returns and adopts itself to various soil and climatic conditions. Advanced papaya
varieties or hybrids can yield 60-100 metric tons per hectare per year. The udder papaya has a
very sweet taste and aroma and is rich in vitamins A and C. Papaya is also used as a vegetable,
as well as in beverages, jams, cordial products, chewing gums, soaps, toothpaste,
pharmaceuticals, and tanning. 
 PROPOSED AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN VAVUNIYA DISTRICT
– NORTHERN PROVINCE SRI LANKA

Preparing Land for Papaya Plantation:

A well-drained upland is selected for cultivation. In open and high lying areas plants are
exposed to strong winds or storm. Therefore, for the proper establishment of papaya
plantation, suitable windbreak should be planted at the orchard boundary.

Planting Material:
Papaya is commercially propagated by seed and tissue culture plants. The seed rate is 250-300
g./ha. The seedlings can be raised in nursery beds 3m. long, 1m. wide and 10 cm. high as well as
in pots or polythene bags. The seeds after being treated with 0.1% Monosan (phenylmercuric
acetate), ceresan, etc. are sown 1 cm. deep in rows 10 cm. apart and covered with
fine compost or leaf mold. Light irrigation is provided during the morning hours. The nursery
beds are covered with polythene sheets or dry paddy straw to protect the seedlings. About 15-
20 cm. tall seedlings are chosen for planting in about two months.

Spacing between Papaya Plants:

A spacing of 1.8 x 1.8 m. is normally followed.  However higher density cultivation with a
spacing of 1.5 x 1.5 m./ha enhances the returns to the farmer and is recommended.

High-Density Planting of Papaya:

Closer spacing of 1.2 x 1.2 m. for cv. Pusha Nanha is adapted for high-density planting,
accommodating 6,400 plants/ha.

Planting Method:
The seedlings are planted in pits of 60x60x60 cm. size. In the summer months, the pits are dug
about a fortnight before planting. The pits are filled with topsoil along with 20 kg. of farmyard
manure., 1 kg. neem cake and 1 kg. bone meal. Tall and vigorous varieties are planted at
greater spacing while medium and dwarf ones at closer spacing.

Manuring and Fertilizers for Papaya Plants:

Papaya plant needs heavy doses of manures and fertilizers. Apart from the basal dose of
manures (@ 10 kg./plant) applied in the pits, 200-250 g. each of N, P 2O5, and K2O are
recommended for getting high yield. Application of 200 g. N is optimum for fruit yield but
 PROPOSED AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN VAVUNIYA DISTRICT
– NORTHERN PROVINCE SRI LANKA
papain yield increases with increase in N up to 300 g. A five-month period from transplanting to
first flowering is important for the nutrition of papaya plants. The stem girth attained by a plant
just before flowering decides the vigor and productivity of a plant. If the plant remains weak
during this period owing to insufficient nutrition, production during the rest of its life is
adversely affected. Therefore, fertilizers should be applied at frequent intervals and at proper
rates for building stout and vigorous plant before flowering, and to maintain its subsequent
growth and productivity.

Irrigation Supply for Papaya Plants:

The irrigation schedule is fixed on the basis of soil type and weather conditions of the region.
Protective irrigation is provided in the first year of planting. During the second year, irrigation is
provided at the fortnightly interval in winter and at an interval of 10 days in summer. Basin
system of irrigation is mostly followed. In areas having low rainfall, sprinkler or drip system can
be adopted.

Cultivation Cost

 Cost per 2
 index  Description  units  Per/unit Acres  Total
1 Plants 1280 50.00   64000.00
2 Weed control        
  chemical     10,500.00  
  Labor 2 900.00 1,800.00 12,300.00
3 Digging holes 1280 35.00   44,800.00
4 compost        
  JCB     10,000.00  
  Tractor 10 900.00 9,000.00 19,000.00
5 Re filling from Compost 1280 20.00   25,600.00
6 Planting 1280 10.00   12,800.00
7 Transport charges       16,000.00
8 Watering - 1st year     2,39,402.00  
  2nd year     195,540.00 434,942.00
9 Chemicals       420,000.00
 PROPOSED AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN VAVUNIYA DISTRICT
– NORTHERN PROVINCE SRI LANKA

10 Fertilizer 156 1500.00 234,000.00  

  Yara milla     129,000.00 363,000.00
11 weed control 32 900.00    
    9 28800.00   259,200.00
12 Harvesting/Handling 4 900.00    
  Grading 12 14400.00   172,800.00
13 Security     243,000.00  
  Supervisor     243,000.00  
  Operation cost     360,000.00 1,089,000.00
14 Equipment       50,000.00
  TOTAL COST       2,983,442.00
           
  Per Acre Cost       149,1721.00

Papaya Yield

Month Plants Kg Kg per Kg per Rate Amount

per Week Month
Tree
6 1280 4.5 5760 23040 30.00 691,200.00
7 1280 4.5 5760 23040 30.00 691,200.00
8 1280 4.5 5760 23040 30.00 691,200.00
9 1280 4.5 5760 23040 30.00 691,200.00
10 1280 3 3840 15360 30.00 460,800.00
11 1280 3 3840 15360 30.00 460,800.00
12 1280 3 3840 15360 30.00 460,800.00
13 1280 3 3840 15360 30.00 460,800.00
14 1280 2.5 3200 12800 30.00 384,000.00
15 1280 2.5 3200 12800 30.00 384,000.00
16 1280 2.5 3200 12800 30.00 384,000.00
17 1280 0.5 640 2560 30.00 76800.00
18 1280 0.5 640 2560 30.00 76800.00
PROPOSED AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN VAVUNIYA DISTRICT
– NORTHERN PROVINCE SRI LANKA

18 1280 38.5 49280 197120 30.00 5,913,600.00

             
Months       18    
Plants       1280    
Archers       2    
Expecting kg for 18 months       197120    
Expecting minimum rate       30.00    
             
             
Approximate income           5,913,600.00
Total cost           2,983,440.00
Expecting profit for 18           2,930,160.00
months
             
Per Acre profit           1,465,080.00
 PROPOSED AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN VAVUNIYA DISTRICT
– NORTHERN PROVINCE SRI LANKA

Groundnuts / Peanuts

Groundnut is a crop which cultivates in highlands under rainfed conditions in Maha season and
in the paddy lands under irrigation during Yala season in dry and intermediate zones.It is grown
mainly in Monaragala, Ampara, Puttalam, and Rathnapura districts.
Though groundnuts is an oil crop, in Sri Lanka it is demanded as snacks and confectionaries.

Suitable Soil for growing Groundnuts:

Groundnut is perfectly grown in well-drained sandy loam or sandy clay loam soil. Deep well-
drained soils with a pH of 6.5-7.0 and high fertility, are ideal for groundnut. Optimum soil
temperature for good germination of groundnut is 30°C. The low temperature at sowing delays
germination and increases seed and seedling diseases. A soil test must be done before starting
a groundnut farming.

Crop rotation of Groundnut:

 PROPOSED AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN VAVUNIYA DISTRICT
– NORTHERN PROVINCE SRI LANKA
Crop rotation is very important in groundnut farming, this helps in efficient nutrient utilization
and reduces soil-borne diseases and nematodes. It also helps to reduce the incidence of weeds.
Maize, sorghum, pearl millet or small grain crops can be grown following groundnut. To reduce
the incidence of soil-borne diseases it is recommended not to grow groundnut after groundnut,
or tobacco, or cotton.

Application of Manures and Fertilizers of Groundnut:

In Groundnut farming, a balanced fertilizer application, based on soil tests, should provide
adequate levels of especially phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulfur, and magnesium. Nutrient
availability depends on soil pH, organic matter content, and rate of release of nutrients from
the soil minerals. The availability of other essential ions such as copper, boron, iron,
manganese, and nitrogen may be low in alkaline soils (pH >8.5); while an acid soil (pH <6) may
be deficient in molybdenum, manganese, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium.
Therefore, depending on soil nutrient status and the targeted yields.

Manure Application in Groundnut production:

In Groundnut farming, application of 1 0 – 1 2 t ha-1 of chicken manure or 20 t ha-1 of well-

decomposed farm yard-manure should be used and completed at least 1 month before sowing.
This should be mixed into the soil for good plant development and to improve the soil
structure.

Fertilizers Application of Groundnut crop:

The main Fertilizer components in Groundnut Farming are  Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium,
Calcium, Sulphur, Iron, Zinc. Deficiencies of boron, copper, molybdenum, manganese, and
magnesium can be corrected by soil application of these nutrients when symptoms appear,
depending on soil type and agroclimatic conditions.

Sowing Preparation of Groundnut:

 PROPOSED AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN VAVUNIYA DISTRICT
– NORTHERN PROVINCE SRI LANKA

Plot design:
When testing for yield and quantitative characters, treatments are to be randomized and
arranged in the plots in blocks. The plot size is four rows of 4m length, with 30 cm between
rows and 10 cm between plants.

Seed and Layout Preparation for growing Groundnuts:

Initial steps:
The experimental field maps indicating the randomization of treatments, blocks, the direction
of rows, number of rows, row width, row length, and alley width are prepared. Next, the seed
and fertilizer packets for each row are prepared. 

The seed rate and spacing of groundnut:

The seed rate depends on the variety (Spanish, Valencia, or Virginia), runner or bunch type, the
seed mass, and germination rate of the seed-lot. The recommended population for bunch
varieties is 330 000 plants ha -1 (about one plant per 30 x 10 cm).  In case of semi-spreading
and spreading varieties the recommended population is 250 000 plants ha -1 (one plant per 40
x 10 cm). 

Sowing procedure of Groundnut:

1. Groundnut sowing during the rainy season starts with the onset of the rains, usually by the
3rd week of June.
2. Examine the soil before sowing for optimum moisture content after rainfall or give
presowing irrigation to make sure good germination.
3. At the time of sowing, place the seed at 5-6 cm depth in the soil. Compact the soil around
the seed to ensure there is firm contact with soil moisture for rapid and uniform
germination. Use of a seed drill with packing wheels is useful to ensure uniform germination.
4. When sowing manually, make sure that plots in each block are completed by the same
person to reduce within-block variation due to uneven sowing caused by human differences.

Irrigation requirement for Groundnut production:

 PROPOSED AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN VAVUNIYA DISTRICT
– NORTHERN PROVINCE SRI LANKA
 Groundnut yields will be reduced if the upper soil zone becomes dry from flowering through
pod development. A water deficit may lead to the following consequences.
 Reduction in the dry matter production of vegetative components as well as the crop growth
rate. Fewer and smaller leaves with small compact cells and shorter stems. Water deficit
from sowing to 67 days delays the period of rapid fruit growth by 10 days and decreases
yield.
 Water deficit during the flowering and pegging stages results in higher yield losses than
stress at any other growth stage; This deficit reduces the number of flowers plant-1.
 Water deficit in the soil surface during peg formation and pod development reduces pod
number and pod yield.
 Water deficit in the fruiting zone results in unfilled pods, and less calcium concentration in
the hull and seed.
 Water deficit reduces groundnut quality, shelling percentage or percentage of sound mature
seeds, seed mass, and germination of seed.

Peanuts Cultivation Cost

Index Description Unit Cost Total

01 Labor Charges

Planting 15 1200 18000

4 1000 4000
Weeding 30 1200 36000
7 1000 7000
Fertilizing 82 900 73800
Plaguing

02 Planting Materials
Seeds 100kg 400 40000
Chemicals /Fertilizers
weed 3 400 1200
Insecticides 4 1300 5200
Urea 90 22 1980
MOP 128 26 3328
03 Watering
Diesel Pumps 1 20,000 20000
04 Harvesting 79 900 71100
PROPOSED AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN VAVUNIYA DISTRICT
– NORTHERN PROVINCE SRI LANKA
Pest Control 15 900 13500
Security 4 900 3600