I have emphasized on many occasions that the resources of the North must be fully utilized. The launch of this sugarcane replanting scheme today gives us confidence that we have begun to properly make use of our resources, said Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan of the Northern Province.
A historically significant event marking the revival of sugarcane cultivation after several decades was held on Tuesday morning, 23 June 2026, in the Karumputhoddam area of Skanthapuram, Kilinochchi. The event was jointly organized under the “Naamum Karumpum” (We and Sugarcane) project by farmers, the Sugarcane Research Institute, the Sugarcane Cultivators’ Cooperative Society, and the company “Natural Roots.” The inaugural event was launched with the aim of once again making sugarcane cultivation flourish in this region, which had been abandoned for several decades.
At the start of the event, a delegation led by the Governor visited and inspected the factory where jaggery is produced from sugarcane. This was followed by the official launch of the replanting in Skanthapuram.
Continuing his address, the Governor noted that the majority of farmers in the area show greater interest in paddy cultivation, and that despite the devastation caused by the “Ditwah” disaster last year, there had been no major impact on paddy yields. He pointed out that while a good harvest is expected from the Yala (minor) season as well, the marketing of paddy remains a major challenge. He observed that after the government announces a fixed price and purchases paddy through the Paddy Marketing Board, private buyers purchase it at very low prices, yet when converted to rice for sale, the price does not fall, meaning middlemen end up reaping the most profit.
The Governor therefore urged farmers to move beyond paddy cultivation towards alternative crops that can generate higher profits, and stressed that they should take up sugarcane cultivation on lands suitable for it. He further noted that since “Natural Roots” faces a shortage of sugarcane to meet its export production requirements, farmers can improve their livelihoods by engaging in sugarcane cultivation to meet the company’s export-oriented demand.
Speaking at the event, Kilinochchi District Secretary S. Muralitharan stated that farmers engaged in sugarcane cultivation can earn a net profit of approximately two and a half laks rupees within 10 to 12 months. He emphasized that rather than sending raw materials from the region to other districts as-is, they should be converted into value-added products before dispatch. He noted that “Natural Roots” is ready to export them as finished products and has come forward to purchase sufficient quantities of sugarcane from farmers. He added that as a first step, 20 acres of land has been allocated to 20 individuals, and stressed that this must be expanded further in the future.
At this event, farmers who were involved in sugarcane cultivation in these areas during the 1960s and 1970s were honoured.
The following officials participated in this special event: S. Rajeshkanna, Additional Director of Agriculture (Research), Kilinochchi; Mrs. P. Pushparani, Assistant Commissioner of Cooperative Development, Kilinochchi; Dr. S. Sivashankar, Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna; Engineer K. Pragash, Deputy Director of Irrigation, Kilinochchi District; and Maruthan Mohan, Kilinochchi District Coordinator of the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, among many others.
