Massive paddy cultivation program in North
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The Government inaugurated a massive cultivation project in
the Jaffna peninsula under the Northern Development drive to
cultivate abandoned paddy lands. These paddy lands were left
abandoned due to LTTE terrorist intimidation for over 10
years. Here Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa MP
participating in the event. Minister Douglas Devananda is
also in the picture. |
Marking another historic achievement in the Northern Development
drive, the Government yesterday inaugurated a massive cultivation
project in the Jaffna peninsula with the cultivation of 1,124 acres of
paddy land. This project falls under the Government's Uthuru Wasanthaya
(Vadakkin Vasantham) development program which is an initiative of the
Presidential Task Force chaired by Senior Presidential Advisor Basil
Rajapaksa MP.
These paddy lands were left abandoned due to LTTE terrorist
intimidation for over 10 years.
These abandoned lands are in Thananthilappu, Marawankkulav- south of
Chavakachchari. These lands are administered under two Grama Niladari
Divisions.
The re-cultivation project will directly benefit 624 farmer families
and will provide many indirect employment opportunities to the people of
the region.
Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa participating as the
chief guest at the event said another cultivable land area of 13,000
hectares will be cultivated by the next season. The Government has
deployed demining teams to unearth the land mines and evacuate booby
traps set by the LTTE terrorists when they were fleeing the area at the
latter stages of the war.
"Immediately after completing the demining process and security and
safety of public can be assured next step would be to bring back the
livelihood activities of the people," Senior Presidential Advisor
Rajapaksa said. The Government will grant a cultivation subsidy of Rs.
4,000 per acre and in addition provide fertilizer and seed paddy free of
charge to encourage farmers engaged in paddy cultivation. |
