Government policy:

Export more finished products

Milton Dharmasinghe our Bulathsinhala Spl. Corr.

Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka said in Horana the Policy of the government is to export more finished items rather than exporting rubber. The government is always ready to assist local rubber manufacturers. He was addressing a meeting of farmers in Horana, Ingiriya, Bulathsinghala and Madurawa secretariat divisions in the Kalutara district. The Prime Minister handed over the first pension to a batch of 118 farmers who have become members of the Farmers' Insurance Scheme and reached over 60 years, held at Horana divisional secretariat office Friday.

The meeting was oranised by the Agricultural and Farmers' Insurance Board, Kalutara. The Prime Minister said, "Farmers should join this Farmers' Insurance Scheme as it is very important for them when they reache 60 years. They should realise the value of it.

"Professionals as doctors, engineers and other qualified persons are highly respected by all because they have passed exams and qualified for such professions. But farmers who provide our staple foods are not recognised by the society and they have good experience of farming and farming technique. Therefore we must create a concept of recognising and respecting our farmers, also professionals as doctors and engineers. Then they have a pride in them and encourage to work hard to raise production and cultivate more and more," he said.

"We live in a world of technology, we need it to improve ourselves. It is our duty to safeguard our dignity, ethics, culture when turning to modern technology. Development of ours means to adhere all what is good for country.

Then only our society move forward,".

Today our rich soil is polluted with various poisonous substances by using various types of chemicals even worms can't be seen in the soil. so our farmers should endeavour to refrain from using chemicals in agricultural activities. We must tend to use local things in farming and increasing production.

Agriculture and Farmers' Pension Board Director Upali Wicramatunga said, about 954,210 farmers have joined the Farmers' Insurance Scheme. The number of Pensioners in the scheme is 75,046. Rs. 78m is paid as pensions monthly. In Kalutara District the number of members of farmers insurance scheme is 46895.