Country to receive agro boost

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

Many countries have agreed to lend support to local agricultural projects handled by the Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Ministry. They agreed on this at a conference of the Ambassadors and High Commissioners of several countries and representatives of the private sector who wished to give support for the agriculture development efforts of the country.

The conference was held recently at Galadari Hotel, Colombo.

The High Commissioners and Ambassadors of China, Egypt, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Nepal, USA, Japan, Canada, Korea, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and many other representatives of leading foreign companies participated at this conference.

Addressing the conference, Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Minister Maithreepala Sirisena said Under the Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu national agriculture development program various projects have been started all over the country.

"The Carbonic Fertilizer production project and Ek Gamak Ek Bogayak (One village-One Crop) projects are some of them. We have also started some projects in Northern and Eastern provinces to uplift agriculture in those areas and get maximum use of the arable land of the country. Your support is worthy to fulfill our dream to make a better Sri Lanka with agriculture development."

He said: "We have estimated that we have to spend Rs. 270 million to develop infrastructure facilities of Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara. We hope to uplift the cultivation of paddy and other crops.

We also hope to establish fertilizer stores, agrarian services centres, Agriculture Research Centres and Seeds Farms in these areas and we have already taken steps to develop Mahaweli system L."

The High Commissioners, Ambassadors and corporate representatives agreed to give their support for these development projects. Agriculture Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara also participated.