Priority for local food production drive

Samantha Suraweera, Gampaha south group corr.

"Once the Apiwawamu/Ratanagamu the local food production programme of the Ministry of Agriculture is implemented in all districts parallel to the on-going Gamaneguma rural development programme the country would be able to achieve self-sufficiency in food, said Western Provincial Council Minister Ananda Jayasinghe.

He was addressing a meeting of the Galkanda Farmers' Society at Minuwangoda. He said priority should be given to promote agriculture, specially indigenous food crops which will also save billions of rupees annually spent to import food items.

Unlike other countries, we are rich in natural resources and have the best climatic conditions for cultivations. Self-sufficiency in food in a developing country is important to meet with success with a clear target.

Therefore we should prepare to produce at least our essential necessities. The Government has introduced massive agricultural development providing subsidies and infrastructure facilities to farmers.

Our duty is to use them properly and produce food crops country needed, he said. The member while calling upon the farmers to forward their grievances and promised to get the assistance and instruction of the agricultural officials.