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| Tuesday, 25 March 2003 |
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Ananda Kannangara reporting from Polonnaruwa Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday said that the country yielded a record of 1,938,000 metric tons of paddy this year and assured the farmers that every possible step has been taken by the Government to develop agriculture in the country. The Premier arrived in the Jayanthipura farmer colony at Giritale to participate in a massive paddy harvesting ceremony organised by the members of farmer community at Giritale in the Polonnaruwa District. They were received by farmer families and the Members of Parliament in the Polonnaruwa District. The Premier said that the Government has already taken measures to help farmers to sell their crops at reasonable prices during the Yala and Maha seasons through the proper Government channels. The day's proceedings began after conducting religious observations attended by a large number of farmers in the area. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and Party members attended these observations. The Premier with farmers participated in the harvesting. Speaking further the Premier said that the Government will provide every assistance to the farmers considering their invaluable service rendered to the country. "Our farmers are more interested in rice production. Therefore the Government wishes to take steps to market their production and help them to improve their earnings", he said. He also thanked Minister S.B. Dissanayaka for taking several measures during the past few months not only to upgrade the paddy production in the country but also to sell their produce at reasonable prices. The Premier also said that the Government will use latest technology to improve the paddy cultivation and other agricultural products. He listened to various questions raised by the farmers and promptly directed his officials to take steps to solve their problems. Agriculture Minister S.B. Dissanayaka told the gathering that his Ministry has taken all possible measures to encourage farmers to sell a bushel of paddy at a fixed price of Rs. 13.50 through co-operatives and other Government channels and requested the farmers not to sell their products at low prices. He also asked farmers to use more home-made fertiliser than purchasing them from the open market at high prices. He also explained the farmers the easiest method of manufacturing fertiliser in their home gardens. Dissanayaka also assisted the Prime Minister in answering the questions raised by people during their short stay in the Jayanthipura farmer colony. The Prime Minister and party members had the "Ambula" provided by farmer families. Ministers Earl Gunasekara, Hemakumara Nanayakkara, H.G.P Nelson and Polonnaruwa District MP Sydney Jayaratna were also present. |
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