Tool kit for rubber smallholders to improve productivity

In a bid to safeguard 130,000 rubber smallholders against unfavourable global pricing projected by the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries, the Government has decided to distribute tool kits aimed at improving productivity of rubber cultivation. 

Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayake obtained approval from Cabinet this week to distribute a gift package valued at Rs. 5000 among 5000 members of the Thurusaviya Society operated under the Thurusaviya Fund. 

Rs. 25 million, the funds needed for the program to be implemented in 2018, will be allocated immediately apart from the Rs. 8 million given for the Thurusaviya programs. 

Another Rs. 25 million will be included in the budget estimate of the Thurusaviya fund for 2019 in order to implement the same project next year.