Following initiatives taken jointly by the Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya and troops of the 14 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (14SR), a pilot project to popularize papaya fruit cultivation and its consumption among villagers as a solution to the high prevalence of vitamin A and C deficiencies among re-settled communities in Mannakandal and Kanagarathnapuram in Mullaittivu district has been organized.
Earlier in March this year, high prevalence of vitamin A & C deficiencies were among those returnees during a health camp held in the area.
Department of Family Medicine and 14 SLSR troops considering options decided to address the problems after informing relevant authorities.
Papaya (Carica papaya) was called "the fruit of the angels" by Christopher Columbus and 100g of papaya provides 33% and 103% of the daily requirement of vitamins A and C respectively.
Hybrid varieties which do not have a successful second generation were avoided and a local variety which has successful successive generations and is more resistant to weather and infestations was chosen for the project.
A leaflet prepared and distributed among Army personnel as well as civilians encouraged them to promote cultivation of the fruit in their camp premises and home compounds.
Seeds were provided by the Fruit research center, Horana and Agriculture Research Institute, Gannoruwa, free of charge. More than 300 seedlings were distributed among nearly 100 families recently and Army officers are to monitor the progress of the project.
This project was supported by Drs. Janaka Ramanayake, Aruni De Silva, Dinusha Perera, Deepama Sumanasekara, Leela Rani Jayasinghe, Rudarshi Gunasekara and Pumika Chandrasiri of Department of Family Medicine with Lt. Col. Wasantha Hewage, Mjrs. Bandula Kodippili, Thushantha Withna, Damith Wickrmasinghe, Capt. Kelum Sanjeeva and Lt. Nihal Abeyweera of 14 SLSR.
Earlier in March this year, high prevalence of vitamin A & C deficiencies were among those returnees during a health camp held in the area.
Department of Family Medicine and 14 SLSR troops considering options decided to address the problems after informing relevant authorities.
Papaya (Carica papaya) was called "the fruit of the angels" by Christopher Columbus and 100g of papaya provides 33% and 103% of the daily requirement of vitamins A and C respectively.
Hybrid varieties which do not have a successful second generation were avoided and a local variety which has successful successive generations and is more resistant to weather and infestations was chosen for the project.
A leaflet prepared and distributed among Army personnel as well as civilians encouraged them to promote cultivation of the fruit in their camp premises and home compounds.
Seeds were provided by the Fruit research center, Horana and Agriculture Research Institute, Gannoruwa, free of charge. More than 300 seedlings were distributed among nearly 100 families recently and Army officers are to monitor the progress of the project.
This project was supported by Drs. Janaka Ramanayake, Aruni De Silva, Dinusha Perera, Deepama Sumanasekara, Leela Rani Jayasinghe, Rudarshi Gunasekara and Pumika Chandrasiri of Department of Family Medicine with Lt. Col. Wasantha Hewage, Mjrs. Bandula Kodippili, Thushantha Withna, Damith Wickrmasinghe, Capt. Kelum Sanjeeva and Lt. Nihal Abeyweera of 14 SLSR.
