‘Ag-Biz North’ to kick off in July

Friday, 21 June 2013 03:58 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam Introducing the latest agricultural products, technologies, and trends to the farming and fishing community of the Northern Province, the agriculture exposure fair, Ag-Biz North, is gearing up to take place in Kilinochchi for the first time. Under the theme ‘Reawakening North’, the two day fair will be held from 26 to 27 July 2013 at the Central College Grounds, Kilinochchi. Endorsed by the Ministry of Agriculture, the event is organised by the National Agribusiness Council (NAC) under the ‘Connecting the North’ project carried out by Practical Action, a UK based international Non-Governmental Organisation.

Noting that the Northern Province still remains a predominant agricultural region even after the 30 year conflict, and covers approximately 13.2% of the land mass in Sri Lanka, Ministry of Agriculture Director Sunil Govinnage expressed that the region has immense potential for fisheries and aquaculture. “The vital natural resource base of the Northern Province needs to be tapped for development of the region and the country as a whole,” he said at the launch of the Ag-Biz North which was held in Colombo last week. Speaking on the contribution of the fair to the region, NAC Secretary Rohitha Nanayakkara stated that the fair is a platform for technology and service providers to showcase latest products and trends whilst educating the general public and farmers on improvements in that arena. “The event will help link farmers with buyers and introduce rural farmers to new markets, whereas it will also provide the farming community with an opportunity to find partners from the private sector in the areas of technology, knowledge, information, marketing, finance, and input supply,” he said. Nanayakkara went on to say that the Ag-Biz North creates an avenue for small and medium scale companies to identify and use resources in the region, and will motivate farmers to use new technologies, modern agriculture inputs and services. “This will certainly help them to find dealers in the region,” he added. Nanayakkara shared that given the past success of the two agricultural shows that was held in Trincomalee and Ampara, the Ag-Biz North is expected to bring more than 60 enterprises to Kilinochchi, including input suppliers from the Agriculture and Fisheries sector such as; seeds, agrochemicals and fertilisers, agricultural machinery and implements, solar pumps, irrigation systems, tissue culture, fisheries and financial institutions. With a total of 63 stalls, 15 canopies, and 25 open spaces made available for the Ag-Biz North fair, NAC said that 6 stalls have already been reserved. Meanwhile, Best Seeds Company, the first to reserve a stall at the fair, handed over the cheque to NAC at the launch event, confirming their participation.