Govt. to promote value added agriculture

Irangika Range

GANNORUWA: The Government has set its sights on achieving many targets in the agricultural field by leading young farmers towards value added agro based products which will have a ready demand in the international market.

Speaking at the seminar of young farmers held at the Plant and Genetic Resource Center in Gannoruwa on Farmers' Day Secretary to the Agricultural Development Ministry Tissa Warnasuriya said there were 1000 young farmers' associations in the country at present and the Government aims to harness their skills to add value to the local agro product.

The event was organised by the Agricultural Development Ministry to mark the National Farmers Day with several other events too organised to honour the Gannoruwa farmers.

"There are 1000 young farmers' clubs across the country and they play a vital role in providing an impetus to the agricultural drive We expect to utilize their know-how to develop agriculture to achieve self sufficiency and provide the opportunity for farmers reap rich dividends from their toil.

"Today the country needs improvements of agriculture related logistic services such as storage facilities, processing, packaging and branding etc..

"We are planning to set up 5000 Young farmers' associations islandwide comprising 1,00,000 young farmers. We will also promote their entrepreneurship in collaboration with state and private sector sponsorship,"he said.