Elders take up ploughing

The Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry has drawn up plans to incorporate senior citizens in the Western Province to the on going cultivation drive 'Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu'.

A meeting was held at the Auditorium of the Urban Development Authority, "Sethsiripaya", Battaramulla presided by Ministry Secretary V. Jegarasasingam to mobilise the elders' organisations in the Western Province to initiate a series of programs planned out by the Ministry.

Officers of elders' organisations of Colombo and Gampaha districts social service officers and senior officials of the relevant Ministries participated. Jegarasasingam said the Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu concept was a fitting move and it was the responsibility of every individual to implement this program in its fullest sense to rescue our country from the impending food crisis. She said the Minister was very keen on getting the contribution of elders' organisations towards the food drive.

Jegarasasingam also pointed out that it was necessary for every elders' organisation to join this drive and at least 10 families with elders who had not joined the home gardening program need to be made partners of the move. Steps had been taken by the Ministry with the Agriculture Ministry and the other line Ministries to provide these families with seeds, fertiliser and plants.

Agriculture Ministry Deputy Director said the Department was opened 24 hours a day and any information and instructions regarding home gardening could be obtained over 1920.

The Supplementary Plantation Crops Development Ministry Deputy Director, Water Supply and Drainage Ministry Deputy Director Senior Assistant Secretary to the Ministry of Rural Industries and Self Employment Promotions, Additional Secretaries to the Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare and Director, Social Services K. H. I. Jayasinghe, also participated.