PM promises help for betel farmers

UPFA Presidential Candidate Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse said he would implement a special programme to improve the lot of betel farmers once he is elected President.

Rajapakse gave this assurance when he met a delegation of the Gampaha-Kurunegala Betel Farmers' Association which called on him at Temple Trees on October 22.

Rajapakse said under this programme titled Bulath Arunella all State patronage and assistance would be given to develop local betel production. Local farmers will be provided with an opportunity to benefit from the Pakistan and Indian betel market utilising the quotas obtained through the EDB, Department of Export Agriculture and other state institutions.

Rajapakse said his objective is to unleash a new economic development process with emphasis on the indigenous economy.Local entrepreneurs will be given all incentives including capital and technical know how to develop their enterprises and capture foreign markets, the Prime Minister said.

Rajapakse said eventhough there was a good demand for betel in the past, local farmers lost the opportunity to cater to that demand due to the open economic policies adopted by the UNF Government.

Rajapakse said once he becomes President all varieties of chemical fertiliser would be made available at Rs. 350 per 50 kilo bag with the motive of increasing production in the agriculture and plantation sectors.

A programme would also be implemented to sell weedicides and pesticides at affordable prices through the co-operatives. Rajapakse said he was not prepared to hand over the country's economy to a handful of multinational companies and individuals.

His endeavour is to promote sustained economic development by laying emphasis on the indigenous economy.

The Prime Minister said he is confident that the majority of the people would strive to safeguard our proud culture and indigenous values by placing a cross in front of the betel leaf symbol at the Presidential election.