Welikanda Farm within the administrative district of Polonnaruwa is situated 08km away on the Polonnaruwa-Batticaloa road, turning left at Welikanda, proceeding 3km on Welikanda, Kandakaduwa road. Welikanda farm, was establishing during 1976, when it was vested with the National Livestock Development Board for establishing a Holding Farm for Neat Cattle to meet the requirements of Abattoirs as then planned. It consisted of both irrigable as well as non-irrigable land. With the accelerated Mahaweli Program 324ha of established irrigable pasture land, was taken over for settlement under the Mahaweli Authority. Hence, the farm was left only with the highland with such other buildings as had been constructed thereon. Pasture wise and feed wise, it was a setback that could be ill afforded.

The soils at Welikanda area belong to the general classification of alluvial soils. The Alluvial soils vary considerably in their fertility characters. These soils are formed on recent water laid deposits in which there is no profile development other than accumulation of some organic matter on the surface. Considerable variation is observed in the texture, depth, drainage and colors of the alluvial soils. Because of the extremely wide range of characteristics exhibited, it is not possible to describe a model profile in respect of these soils. Rice could be grown very successfully.