Green Treasure is an organic fertilizer made from invasive aqua plants grown on the surface of inland tanks and lakes in Sri Lanka. I invented and initiated Green Treasure enterprise in September 2008 as a subsidiary of the Institute of Growth Concepts (IGC). I learned that the floating invasive plants naturally grown on irrigation tank surface is a big problem for paddy farmers, while I was working in agriculture project in the North Western part of Sri Lanka in 2007. The two invasive plant species, Salviniya (Salvinia Molesta) and Japan Jabara (Eichhornia Crassipes) have been fully occupying the tank surface disturbing irrigation operations and the fulfilment of daily water needs of the community living around the tanks. Blocking of irrigation system, water pollution, disturbance to water use of the community, destruction of aqua life, acidic effects in paddy field and high cost of tank cleaning were the main problems that the farmers were facing. Government was not able to provide funds to clean tanks since the cost is very high and due to accelerated growth of plant those plant species.
Subsequently many tanks and lakes were abandoned. “There is enough water in the tank but we cannot use them to cultivate paddy because the channels are blocked by Salvinia” said the farmers. “We cannot even take a bath, our tanks are fully invaded by Salvenia (Salvinia molesta) and Japan Jabara (Eichhornia Crassipes)”. I have been working hard to find a solution for last couple of years in order to remedy this burning issue. Later I came up with this interesting idea to make compost fertilizer out of these invasive aqua plants. He started compost production unit using the aqua plants collected from the first tank in Bamunakotuwa divisional secretariat division in Kurunegala District. So far I have cleared three tanks and have plans to clean 10 more tanks in this year and 7 people work in his social enterprise and more than 100 farmers have gained income by supplying Salvenia to the composting unit. The agriculture Department had been spending millions of Rupees to clean each lake but now it has been done with no cost for the government. Apart from cleaning the tank and enabling farmers to grow throughout the enterprise has generated additional income for poor farmers around the tank. Green Treasure supply compost for very low price compared to the current market prices in Sri Lanka. That has become an added advantage for the vegetable and coconut growers to use more compost and to reduce the usage of chemical fertilizer. Now the Green Treasure has become a profitable and socially and environmentally contributing enterprise. I’m happy that I have been able to turn a crucial problem in to an innovative solution making synergies to many parties. I further have plans to expand his business to other districts where the farming community is struggling to protect the tanks and farming livelihoods.
Subsequently many tanks and lakes were abandoned. “There is enough water in the tank but we cannot use them to cultivate paddy because the channels are blocked by Salvinia” said the farmers. “We cannot even take a bath, our tanks are fully invaded by Salvenia (Salvinia molesta) and Japan Jabara (Eichhornia Crassipes)”. I have been working hard to find a solution for last couple of years in order to remedy this burning issue. Later I came up with this interesting idea to make compost fertilizer out of these invasive aqua plants. He started compost production unit using the aqua plants collected from the first tank in Bamunakotuwa divisional secretariat division in Kurunegala District. So far I have cleared three tanks and have plans to clean 10 more tanks in this year and 7 people work in his social enterprise and more than 100 farmers have gained income by supplying Salvenia to the composting unit. The agriculture Department had been spending millions of Rupees to clean each lake but now it has been done with no cost for the government. Apart from cleaning the tank and enabling farmers to grow throughout the enterprise has generated additional income for poor farmers around the tank. Green Treasure supply compost for very low price compared to the current market prices in Sri Lanka. That has become an added advantage for the vegetable and coconut growers to use more compost and to reduce the usage of chemical fertilizer. Now the Green Treasure has become a profitable and socially and environmentally contributing enterprise. I’m happy that I have been able to turn a crucial problem in to an innovative solution making synergies to many parties. I further have plans to expand his business to other districts where the farming community is struggling to protect the tanks and farming livelihoods.
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