Assistance for Productivity Improvement and Replanting of Existing Cinnamon Lands
The Development Division of the Department of Cinnamon Development implements a structured assistance program to enhance the productivity of existing cinnamon lands and rehabilitate low-performing plantations. This program targets lands with significant crop vacancies, aging stands, and productivity constraints, ensuring improved yield, quality, and long-term sustainability.
This scheme applies exclusively to existing cinnamon lands.
Program Components
The productivity improvement program is implemented under four key sub-components:
- Supply of Planting Materials for Gap Filling
Certified cinnamon plants are provided to fill vacancies in lands with over 25% crop gaps.
- Plant requirement is determined based on verified field vacancies.
- The Department provides only 50% of the total plant requirement for gap filling.
- Supply of Planting Materials for Replanting
Certified planting materials are provided to rehabilitate aged or low-productive cinnamon blocks requiring systematic re-establishment.
- Plant requirement is determined based on approved replanting extent.
- Planting materials are issued under the approved cost-sharing mechanism.
- Investment Assistance for Mammalian Pest Control
Financial assistance for the establishment of pest control mechanisms to minimize crop damage caused by mammalian pests.
- Investment Assistance for Micro-Irrigation Systems
Financial support for the establishment of micro-irrigation systems to enhance moisture management and improve crop performance in water-limited areas.
Who Can Apply
- Individual farmers cultivating cinnamon
- Estate owners and registered cinnamon plantations
- Government institutions
- State and Regional Plantation Companies
Eligible Land Extent
For Gap Filling and Replanting
- Minimum: 0.125 acres (20 perches)
- Maximum: 5 acres
For Government lands, State and Regional Plantation Companies, and large-scale estates:
- Maximum: 12.5 acres per year per land
For Investment Assistance Programs
(Mammalian pest control and micro-irrigation systems)
- Minimum: 0.25 acres (¼ acre)
- Maximum: 5 acres
Assistance Provided
- Certified planting materials based on field-verified vacancy levels
- Technical advice on rehabilitation practices and crop management
- Financial assistance under approved investment components
- Continuous field supervision and monitoring
Technical advisory services are provided free of charge.
Eligibility Criteria
- Minimum eligible land extent as specified under each component
- Proof of land ownership must be submitted
- For lands exceeding 2 hectares, a land plan is required
- Field verification confirming vacancy percentage or productivity constraints
- Land suitability for continued cinnamon cultivation
Additional Requirement for Investment Assistance Programs
For eligibility under mammalian pest control and micro-irrigation assistance, the land must maintain at least 90% of the recommended plant population (based on standard spacing and plant density guidelines). Lands with plant populations below this threshold will be required to regularize plant density before qualifying for investment assistance support.
Application Procedure
Applications may be submitted:
- To the nearest Development Officer’s Office
- To the Head Office
- To the Gampaha Zonal Office
Applications can be submitted by hand or via registered post during office hours (8.30 a.m. – 4.15 p.m. on working days).
Cost of Planting Materials and Cost-Sharing Mechanism
5” × 8” Pot Size Plants
- Total plant cost: Rs. 25 per plant
- Farmer contribution: Rs. 10
- Government contribution: Rs. 15
8” × 10”, 8” × 12”, or 10” × 15” Pot Size Plants
- Total plant cost: Rs. 100 per plant
- 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
Investment Assistance Scheme for Micro-Irrigation Systems
The Department provides investment assistance for the establishment of micro-irrigation systems in existing cinnamon lands, based on the cultivated extent. The maximum financial assistance payable is as follows:
Cultivated Extent | Maximum Assistance (LKR) |
0.25 acre (0.1 ha) | 50,000 |
0.50 acre (0.2 ha) | 60,000 |
0.75 acre (0.3 ha) | 75,000 |
1.00 acre (0.4 ha) | 100,000 |
Additional Provision
Where a micro-irrigation system is established in an extent exceeding 1.00 acre (0.4 ha), financial assistance will be provided up to a maximum of 5 acres (2 hectares).
For extents beyond 1.00 acre, an additional LKR 15,000 will be paid for every extra 0.25 acre (0.1 hectare), in addition to the amount allocated for the first acre.
Investment Assistance Scheme for Pest Control Systems (Prevention of Mammalian Damage)
The Department provides investment assistance for the establishment of approved pest control systems to prevent crop damage caused by mammalian pests in existing cinnamon lands. The maximum financial assistance payable based on cultivated extent is as follows:
Cultivated Extent | Maximum Assistance (LKR) |
0.25 acre (0.1 ha) | 40,000 |
0.50 acre (0.2 ha) | 50,000 |
0.75 acre (0.3 ha) | 60,000 |
1.00 acre (0.4 ha) | 75,000 |
Additional Provision
Where a pest control system is established in an extent exceeding 1.00 acre (0.4 ha), financial assistance will be provided up to a maximum of 5 acres (2 hectares).
For extents exceeding 1.00 acre, an additional LKR 20,000 per acre will be paid for the additional cultivated area, subject to the 5-acre maximum limit.
For areas exceeding one acre by fractions of an acre, payment will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Required Documents for Investment Assistance Programs
(Micro-Irrigation Systems and Mammalian Pest Control Systems)
Applicants seeking financial assistance under investment assistance components must submit the following documents along with the application:
- Duly completed application form
- Brief project proposal outlining:
- Objective of the investment
- Proposed system (irrigation or pest control)
- Expected benefits
- Detailed cost estimation (prepared by supplier/contractor where applicable)
- Proof of land ownership (Deed or legally accepted document)
- Draft layout or installation plan of the proposed system
- Copy of National Identity Card (NIC)
- Copy of Bank Passbook (for fund disbursement purposes)
Incomplete applications or applications without the required documentation will not be processed.
How the Service is Provided
Upon receipt of the application, the relevant Development Officer will:
- Conduct a detailed field inspection to assess vacancy levels, productivity status, and land suitability.
- Verify ownership documents and land extent.
- Register the land under the appropriate sub-component if eligibility criteria are fulfilled.
- Recommend required agronomic and rehabilitation practices.
For gap filling, planting materials equivalent to 50% of the verified plant requirement will be issued after completion of recommended preparatory activities.
For replanting and investment assistance components, support will be provided upon satisfactory completion of required preparatory work and compliance with departmental guidelines.
Continuous field supervision will be maintained to ensure effective implementation and measurable productivity improvement.
Time Frame for Service Delivery
The service will be delivered within 2 to 6 months from the date of application, depending on field verification, compliance with recommendations, and availability of resources.
Responsible Officers
- Relevant Development Officer of the area
- Assistant Director (Development) / Deputy Director (Development) of the respective district
Through this structured productivity enhancement framework, the Department ensures systematic rehabilitation of existing cinnamon lands while promoting sustainable and economically viable cultivation practices.