Massive agricultural program in Kurunegala

Stanley Seneviratne Kurunegala North group corr.

The Kurunegala Pradeshiya Sabha in accordance to the Mahinda Chinthana agricultural concept "Api Wawamu - Rata Nagamu" will launch a massive agricultural development program covering the 121 Grama Niladari Divisions under the purview of the Kurunegala PS to be completed within three years (2009-2012) at an estimated cost of Rs. 35.1 million.

The organisation with overall responsibilities the implementation of this program will be done by the Provincial Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Irrigation, Animal Husbandry and Livestock Development and respective Ministry secretaries.

The project area contains about 30,000 families located in the Kurunegala, Boyagane, Werewella, Wellawa and Kudagalgamuwa Agrarian Services Divisions covering over 80 per cent of the population which derive their income through agriculture.

The project envisages to improve the marketing facilities of agriculture produce of over 30,000 farming families by constructing six bridges. Though this is expected to facilitate farmers to transport their produce to main markets and sell them at competitive prices.

Moreover, it will also assist the buyers to visit these villages, and purchase the produce at competitive prices, assisting the beneficiaries to get a realistic price for their produce.