Tenant farmers Act to revive agri-sector

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

Steps have already been taken to introduce a new tenant farmers' act before the end of this year, said the Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena at the concluding ceremony of the Mahaweli Week at Agunakolapelessa.

He said President Mahinda Rajapaksa always pays attention to uplift the living standard of local farmers by giving facilities to them. The Mahaweli Week was organised to mark the progress achieved from the Mahaweli Development Program and to introduce future programs. There were lots of programs organized by the Mahaweli Authority for the betterment of farmers. More than 10,000 farmers who live in Mahaweli systems H,B,C,G,D, Huruluwewa, Walawe special area and Victoria, Kotmale participated in these programs.

Mahaweli is a successful project which was supported by each government.

Under the present government, a number of projects were started to protect farmers and uplift agriculture. Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu is the most successful program.

The Paddy Marketing Board has been re-established and because of that farmers can sell their paddy at a good price, the Minister said.

Addressing the ceremony Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G.L.Peiris said "We could survive when all other countries faced economic downfall as we have good agricultural background.

World food prices had gone up rapidly. Most of the developed countries had to face many difficulties. But we faced to the problem successfully".

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has always encouraged local farmers through the movement Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu (Let's cultivate and uplift the nation.).