Farmers target self-sufficiency - Minister

H.M. Abeysinghe, Kuliyapitiya group correspondent

Farmers have launched a cultivation drive to make the country self sufficient in food. That target would be achieved in 2010 when considering the progress of food production drive launched by the Government in mid 2007, Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.

He was speaking at the Kurunegala District Progress Review of Api Wawamu - Rata Nagamu in Kuliyapitiya Town Hall, recently.

The Minister said the greatest challenge before the Nation is reducing the import of food. We are able to face that challenge successfully due to the dedicated commitment of Agricultural Research and Production Assistants serving in Grama Niladhari Divisions. Their dedication is praiseworthy, they launched house to house campaign to motivate cultivators on the Api Wawamu - Rata Nagamu food production drive. The results were excellent as the food production was up by 20 per cent during the first 18 months after introducing the programme.

He said certain officers do not perform their responsibilities as expected "I dont't believe in taking disciplinary action against such inefficient officers. My policy is granting promotion to efficient officers. Recently 45 such Production Assistants were promoted as Agrarian Services Divisional Officers" he said.

The Minister said the public employees should be exemplary in their fields and committing fraud and corruption is a grave crime.

At the forthcoming Wayamba PC election, UPFA would record landslide victory as the Government has the people's blessings. "As the General Secretary of SLFP I assure a free and fair election," he said.

Former Wayamba Chief Minister Athula Wijesinghe said launching a food production drive along with military operations is in the tradition.

He said the people of the North Western Province are rallying around the UPFA to strengthen the hands of the President.