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| Tuesday, 15 June 2004 |
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| Five-year programme to restructure Mahaweli development projects - Minister Sirisena Minister of Mahaweli and River Basin Development and Rajarata Development, Maithripala Sirisena explained the five-year programme prepared by the Government to reorganise and restructure the Mahaweli Development Scheme area. Addressing officers of the Ministry he said that about 80% of 131,640 farmer families in these areas are in a miserable condition due to them being neglected during past few years. The Minister stressed that farmers should be educated to gradually abandon methods of cultivation that they have adopted during past 20 years or so, and introduce to them the modern methods and systems of cultivation that will enable them to obtain a larger profit at lesser cost and utilising lesser ground area for cultivation. He said that using available resources within Mahaweli area action should be taken to encourage farmer families to further develop the livestock and dairy farming, fresh water fishing industry, pond fish for local as well as for export market, fruit cultivation, metal quarrying and bricks production. The Government will establish 876 workshops to produce implements required for farmers for cultivation purposes as well as those used in their day-to-day life such as mamoties, knives, alavangoes etc. The Government hopes to introduce modern methods of cultivation to enhance productivity, through improved methods of cultivation of paddy, big onions, red onions, chilies, banana, mangoes and vegetables - which will enable them to be offered for the export market, with farmers being encouraged to use more and more compost manure for fertilising to increased yield per unit area of land and curbing wastage of water. During these five years the Government will give required assistance to Farmer Associations to establish themselves so that they could manage their affairs without seeking any financial support from the Government. They will also be responsible for proper management of water resources. The Government will establish 160 Vocational Training Centers to train settlers' children in computers, electricity, carpentry, and masonry and in other useful craft and a practical knowledge of which will enable them to be gainfully employed. The Government has already identified various under-developed villages, which will be given priority in establishment of these institutions, the Minister said. During the ensuing five years Government will take necessary action to further develop the Kala Oya Basin (System H) which will improve living standards of the settlers. 'All tanks within the system will be repaired and restored, so that the farmers could be provided with adequate water to cultivate both yala and maha. 'The Ministry is already discussing with relevant Departments the ways and means to develop the usage of underground water for cultivation purposes through the Maduru Oya Right Bank, Sirisena said. 'Feasibility studies will be undertaken for the development - which will include the provision of clean water for the industries that will come up within this area,' he said. The whishly project was initially started in three under-developed villages in the Polonnaruwa District has been extended to further 30 villages. Under this scheme the basic needs of the villagers such as housing, drinking water, sanitation, education, roads, etc. are given priority for development. Of the estimated cost of these works the villagers provide 10% by way of free labour. By 2006 it is expected that this scheme would be extended to cover 1,000 villages. Minister Sirisena said that the 30 villages in which this Project was accomplished are now self-sustaining and is not a burden on the Government. He also said the Ministry has already identified areas in Mahaweli L zone (Weli Oya) for breeding fish, and also pasture land for grazing cattle. Secretary, Ministry of Mahaweli and River Basin Development and Rajarata Development, T. M. Abeywickrama and Director General Mahaweli Authority, Dr. M. U. A. Tennakoon was associated with Minister at this meeting. |
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