Investment Assistance for New Cinnamon Cultivation
The Development Division of the Department of Cinnamon Development implements an investment assistance scheme to promote new cinnamon cultivation across suitable agro-climatic regions of Sri Lanka. This initiative supports the systematic expansion of cinnamon extent while ensuring high-quality planting material, proper establishment, and long-term sustainability.
This scheme applies exclusively to new cinnamon cultivation.
Who Can Apply
· Individual farmers and landowners willing to establish new cinnamon plantations
· Entrepreneurs entering the cinnamon sector
· Government institutions
· State and Regional Plantation Companies
· Medium- and large-scale estate owners
Recommended Planting Standards
· Recommended spacing: 4 ft × 3 ft
· Plant requirement per 0.125 acre (20 perches) : 450 plants
· Plant requirement per 1 acre : 3600 plants
· Plant requirement per 2.5 acres : 9,000 plants
These standards ensure optimum plant density, healthy canopy development, and higher long-term productivity.
Assistance Provided
1. Supply of Certified Cinnamon Planting Materials
The Department supplies certified, quality-assured cinnamon plants for new plantation establishment.
Eligible extent:
- Minimum: 0.125 acre (20 perches)
- Maximum: 5 acres
- For Government lands, State and Regional Plantation Companies, and medium/large-scale estates, planting materials will be issued up to a maximum of 12.5 acres per year per land.
2. Technical Guidance and Field-Level Support
- Land suitability assessment
- Field layout and spacing guidance
- Recommendations on land preparation
- Planting and establishment advice
- Early-stage crop management supervision
Technical advice and field supervision services are provided free of charge.
Cost of Planting Materials and Cost-Sharing Mechanism
5” × 8” Pot Size Plants
- Total plant cost: Rs. 25 per pot
- Farmer contribution: Rs. 10
- Government contribution: Rs. 15
8” × 10”, 8” × 12”, or 10” × 15” Pot Size Plants
· Total plant cost: Rs. 100 per pot
· Farmer contribution: Rs. 50
· Government contribution: Rs. 50
Payments should be made to:
Director General, Department of Cinnamon Development
Bank: Bank of Ceylon (BOC) – Mahaedanda Branch
Account Number: 7041596
Eligibility Criteria
- Minimum land extent – 0.125 acre (20 perches)
- Proof of land ownership (Deed or legally accepted document) must be submitted
- Land must possess suitable soil, elevation, and environmental conditions for cinnamon cultivation
Application Procedure
Applications may be submitted:
- To the nearest Development Officer’s Office under the Department of Cinnamon Development
- To the Head Office
- To the Gampaha Zonal Office
Applications can be submitted:
- By hand
- Via registered post
(Application forms can be downloaded from the official website.)
How the Service is Provided
Upon receipt of the application, the relevant Development Officer will:
- Conduct a field inspection to assess land suitability and verify ownership.
- Confirm compliance with eligibility criteria.
- Register the land under the new cultivation scheme.
- Provide guidance on land preparation and recommended agronomic practices.
Certified planting materials will be issued through registered nurseries under the department after satisfactory completion of land preparation.
Follow-up field visits will be conducted at key stages after planting (e.g., 3, 12, 18, and 24 months) to ensure proper crop establishment and management.
Time Frame for Service Delivery
The service will be delivered within 2 days to 3 months from the date of application, depending on:
- Field inspection scheduling
- Completion of land preparation
- Availability of planting materials
Responsible Officers
- Relevant Development Officer of the area
- Assistant Director (Development) / Deputy Director (Development) of the respective district
Through this program, the Department facilitates the sustainable expansion of new cinnamon cultivation, ensuring proper establishment standards and strengthening Sri Lanka’s leadership in premium Ceylon Cinnamon production.