Agriculture Research and Production Assistant :

North and East vacancies to be filled

Chaminda PERERA

Agriculture and Agrarian Services Development Minister Maithreepala Sirisena yesterday said all vacancies for Agriculture Research and Production Assistants in the North and the East would be filled within two months.

Addressing the annual convention of the Agriculture Research and Production Assistants' Association at Temple Trees, he said the People's Alliance Government in 1994 granted appointments to Agriculture Research and Production Assistants to streamline the services rendered by the Agrarian Services Centres.

The Association honoured Plantation Industries Minister D.M. Jayaratne and Agriculture and Agrarian Services Development Minister Maithreepala Sirisena by presenting special mementos in recognition of their service to uplift the agri-based economy in the country. Minister D.M. Jayaratne pioneered in creating a new post titled Agriculture Research and Production Assistants and held the first chairmanship of the Association.

These officers have been attached to 428 out of 553 Agrarian Services Centres islandwide and have pioneered in providing better and expedited services to the farming community. The Minister said these officers maintain a very close cooperation with farmers and their dedication to introduce new technology to farmers was amazing.

The Ministry will increase the number of officers enrolled to follow the Diploma in Agriculture from 282 to 1,000 from next year. Last year, only 180 officers applied for this course, he said.

"The Government does not want them to stagnate in the same place till they retire. We have opened a number of avenues for them to reach the top rung of the Agrarian Services Department," the Minister said.

The UNP Government during their 17 year rule, gave step motherly treatment to the agriculture sector. The country experienced a severe shortage of agriculture officers and farmers were reluctant to go to the paddy field, he said. "This situation gradually changed when the PA Government came into power in 1994. Our officers had to undergo a number of hardships and harassment under the UNF Government.

Some officers were killed and several became disabled due to the violence unleashed on them during the last UNF regime. These officers were dedicated towards the victory of SLFP led governments and I am sure that they will strive for the country's development too."Agriculture Development Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara also spoke. Trade, Marketing, Cooperative Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardena and Finance and State Revenue Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya were also present.