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| Saturday, 9 August 2003 |
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by Uditha Kumarasinghe The Regaining Sri Lanka national agricultural exhibition organised by the Agriculture Ministry with a view to educate the public on the importance of the agriculture sector and the infusion of modern technology into the Agro sphere will be held at the Agriculture Complex premises, Labuduwa, Akmeemana from August 10 to 16. This national level exhibition will be held on a 40 acre land belonging to the Agriculture Complex to focus public attention on agriculture in relation to the Regaining Sri Lanka programme implemented by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Agriculture Technology and Crop Productivity Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara told a press conference on Thursday. He said the Ministry will conduct the exhibition in collaboration with Agriculture faculties affiliated to all universities and a large number of Government and Non-Governmental organisations. Nearly 150 exhibition stalls belonging to the Agriculture Ministry and other relevant Ministries will be displayed for the benefit of the public. Over 400 private sector trade stalls connected to the agriculture sector will be featured in the exhibition premises. A grand carnival will also be held to coincide with the exhibition. Agriculture, Livestock and Samurdhi Minister S.B.Dissanayake will open the exhibition on August 10 at 2 pm. Minister Nanayakkara said under the Prime Minister's Regaining Sri Lanka programme, priority has been given to develop the agriculture sector. Of the total amount of 4.5 billion US dollars pledged at the Tokyo Donor Conference, the Premier hopes to allocate nearly 60 per cent to develop the country's agriculture sector including North-East areas. The Minister said arrangements have been made to conduct this national exhibition throughout the country on alternate months. The second stage of this exhibition will be held at the Mahawa Central College on October 20 which falls on National Farmer's Day. The third stage is expected to be held at Kothmale in December. In addition, several banks will also conduct their stalls at the exhibition premises to educate farmers on their various low interest loan schemes implemented for the benefit of farmers. At present the Ruhunu Development Bank provides a 9.5 per cent low interest credit facilities to farmers, he said. Minister S.B.Dissanayake will also open a new library and an audio visual unit at the Labuduwa Agriculture Complex on August 10. |
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