People have been using banana leaves to wrap food items since ancient times and this practice is common among majority of the cultures in the south Asia. We all like to taste a meal wrapped in banana leaves as it gives a distinct smell and also keep the food fresh for a longer time. However, due to the unavailability of the leaves at close proximity and also due to the need of obtaining fresh leaves for wrapping, other alternatives such as polyethylene sheets (Lunch sheets) are being utilized. Polyethylene sheet is a convenient wrapper but it has created many unwanted problems on mankind. These sheets take about more than one year to initiate the degradation and thus creating environmental pollution leading to many undesirable consequences. In addition, these sheets could contain various chemical compounds which may be harmful to the humans when exposed for a longer time period.

Therefore an investigation was carried out at Agriculture Research Station,Telijjawila to use banana leaves as a food wrapper and to keep it for a longer duration without being change in its colour or quality. As a result a technique has been perfected to produce cured banana leaves that can be kept more than one month under refrigerated condition without any changes in colour or quality.

Methodology.
Well grown leaves are trimmed and separate into pieces ( 45 cm x 45 cm ) excluding the mid rib. These pieces may be rectangular or round in shape depending on the requirement. These pieces are initially washed in pure water to remove the dust and any other inert particles deposited on leaves. Thereafter curing can be done following several ways depending on the availability of the facilities. There are four methods that can easily be practiced to cure the fresh banana leaves.

Oven drying.
Leaves can be dried in an oven at the temperature of 80 – 85 oC for 5 minutes.
Steaming
Leaves can be placed in a steamer for 25 – 60 seconds till the appearance of olive green colour. This time depends on the amount of steam released and the thickness of the leaves.
Hot water treatment.
Leaves can be dipped in boiling water till the appearance of green colour change and immediately transfer to cold water.
Cooking
Leaves can be processed in a pressure cooker for a few minutes.

After curing of leaves using the above methods, retaining water must be drained out immediately and the leaves should be air- dried for 8 – 10 hours before packing them for storing under refrigerated conditions. Each leaf should be packed with a piece of moisture absorbent paper (newspaper, wrapping paper or paper serviette ) and bundle them in to packs containing 10 or 20 pieces. They can be packed in small boxes or in aluminum foil .These packs can be kept for 5 days under room temperature and more then one month in a refrigerator without adversely affecting their original colour and quality.

This hardened banana leaf can effectively be used to wrap the food. It odes not tear when folding and also gives the fresh smell when the wrapped parcel is opened. The meal wrapped in banana leaves can warm in microwave oven without any changes. Thus this is an environmentally sound material and a perfect substitute for polyethylene sheets.

Nearly about 10 leaves can be harvested from a plant per year in normal banana cultivation while obtaining a bunch. In each leaf 5 – 8 pieces (45 x 45 cm2) can be obtained. Hence from one hectare of land, minimum of 120,000 wrappres can be produced. If a single banana wrapping sheet costs Cts. 50 dditional income of Rs 60,000 can be obtained apart from the bunches from one hectare of banana cultivation established in annual planting syste

Farmers have been practicing Organic Faming has over centuries. Really speaking conventional agriculture started from there. In recent time there is an enlightening stress on organic farming all over the world. In Sri Lanka also few interested groups have started organic farming. The demand for organic food is increasing.

Department of agriculture is having a project to promote organic farming in the country with an ultimate goal of exporting them after certifying. The ministry of agriculture has provided 4.5 million rupees for starting the project and it is expected to increase the financial allocation in coming years. Department of agriculture in year 2005 is expecting to lay out a producer foundation in 10 districts with the help of provincial departments of agriculture.

Fertilizer unit of the extension and training division of the department of agriculture is coordinating this program. It is willing to share there experience with interested parties. Those who are interested may contact

Assistant Director of Agriculture Fertilizer unit,
P.O. Box 18.
Peradeniya.
Sri Lanka.
Telephone :- 0094812388229.

All the seed handlers in Sri lanka, who are directly involved in the following activities, are hereby requested to get themselves registered with the Director (Seed Certification Service), Gannoruwa, as per section 8 of the Seed Act, No.22 of 2003

1. Importation of seed / planting materials
2. Production of seed / planting materials for commercial purposes
3. Distribution of seed / planting materials
4. Seed processing
5. Packaging / RePackaging
6. Seed sales agents
7. Retail or wholesale seed dealers
8. Nurserymen
9. Seeds / Planting materials distributors
10. Any other activities which involves in the supply of seed / planting materials to the local market

Involvement in any related activity which concerns the supply of seed and planting materials to the local market, without prior registration, as envisaged above will be considered a violation of section 16 of the said act.

Application forms for registration, with required information, can be collected from the nearest office of the Seed Certification Service of the Department of Agriculture or by post by providing a self-addressed stamped envelope (9"x4") to the

Director,
Seed Certification and Plant Protection Service,
No. 74,
Gannoruwa,
Peradeniya.

The Director, Seed Certification Service of the Department of Agriculture, Gannoruwa, Peradeniya may be addressed for any further clarifications in this regard. His contact telephone numbers are as follows.

Tel. 081-2388044 or 081-2384226 Fax : 081-2388077

Dr. C. Kudagamage
Director Genral of Agriculture
2008.07.09

Guava is popular as home garden fruit. Currently it is popularizing as commercial fruit crop. It can earn high profit by commercially. Fresh Fewer amounts of seeds are there. Cordial, Jam, Jelly like food items can be prepared by using guava. These new varieties are good for above products due to their good flavor and aroma.

The new guava hybrid varieties are Jambo, Horana sweet, Red giant, and Lanka apple. These new varieties give 4 tons per hectare of yield and fruit is large in size. Less number of seeds are there. Resistant to pest and disease.

Rs. 52200.00 of net profit can be obtained by first harvest of the cultivation. The net profit will be Rs. 174520.00 in the third year.

Jambo and Horana sweet varieties have dwarf trees. Fewer amounts of seeds are there. Flesh is white in colour. Good flavor is there. Those are suitable for export purpose.

Red giant and Lanka apple varieties have comparatively large trees. In ripen fruits, outer skin is yellowish green in colour and Flesh is red in colour. Fewer amounts of seeds are there. It is suitable for fresh juice production.

Variety Lanka apple is resistant to styler end rot and tolerant to leaf eating caterpillar’s damage.

A new avocado variety

A new avocado variety was introduced by the DOA. It has high nutritional value as well as medicinal value. These fruits have 10% of fat. It is comparatively higher value. Thus, it is best for heart patients. Its outer skin is hard. Therefore post harvest losses are less. It has higher demand for export market. Good for export. Resistant to fruit fly damage.

B D Pathynayake
ROIC
Rice Research Institute
Ambalantota

It is considered that Sri Lankan rice is more quality than other rice. Thus it has high demand and as well as high price. Currently, among the recommended varieties no three month varieties but 3.5 month variety “BG 358” is very popular. But BG 358 can be logged in some areas and it become drought susceptible in rain fed areas as well as minor irrigation areas. Therefore it is felt need to introduce a three month variety with tolerant to logging. Earlier attempts that produce a variety like this were not succeeded due to low yield and susceptible to logging.

Three month, round rice variety AT 308, tolerant to logging, leaf blast, Bacteria leaf blight, as well as brown plant hopper damage. Also it is resistant to gall midge damage as well as sheath blight. Rice and boiled rice has attractive appearance. The yield of this variety is about 120 bushals per acres and it gives 25% of first yield by ratoon crop.

The research activities done under the name of AT 605.

Annual Symposium of the Department of
Agriculture will be held
on

22^nd and 23^rd of September 2008

at the Auditorium of the
Plant Genetic Resource Centre
and
In-Service Training Institute, Gannoruwa, Peradeniya.

Inaugural Session

08.30 a.m.      Registration

08.50 a.m.      National Anthem

08.55 a.m.      Lighting the Oil Lamp

09.00 a.m.      Welcome Address
                    Dr Chandrasiri Kudagamage
                    Director General of Agriculture

09.10 a.m.      Address by
                    Secretary, Minister of Agriculture
                    Development and  Agrarian Services

09.20 a.m.      Address by Hon. Hemakumara Nanayakkara
                    Minister of Agriculture

09.30 a.m.      Address by Hon. Mithreepala Sirisena
                    Minister of Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services

09.45 a.m.      Presentation of Awards

09.50 a.m.      Keynote Address by Dr. Patrick Eveans 
                    F.A.O. Representative in Sri Lanka and Maldives

10.20 a.m.      Highlights of ADA 2008

10.40 a.m.      Vote of Thanks
                    Mr. M.B. Dissanayake
                    Chairman - ASDA 2008

10.55 a.m. 11.10 a.m. Tea

Steps have been taken by the Department of Agriculture on large Scale buying of Field Crops like Ground nut, Black gram and Soya been for Cultivation of the Maha Season 2008-2009.

As there is a Shortage of these Seeds the Department of Agriculture would anticipate those Farmers who hand over their surplice Quantities to the Agriculture Instructor of the nearest Agrarian Service Center or Deputy Director of the District. A Considerable Price would be paid.

Further more this will help to promote the “Api Wawamu - Rata Nagamu”.


K.B. Gunarathna

Assistant Director of Agriculture (Media)