Gama Neguma going great guns

Stanley SENEVIRATNE-Kurunegala North Group Corr.

Gama Neguma development projects spending Rs 14,000 million are carried out in every Grama Niladhari Division of the country under a new phase of Gama Neguma concept, Economic Development Ministry Additional Secretary R A A K Ranawaka said.

Under the new phase, projects for constructing minor irrigation systems, drinking water projects, poultry and concreting rural roads will be given priority while a special project will be introduced to farmers on new packing techniques for fruits and vegetables, he said.

The Gama Neguma project that concentrated on infrastructure development of villages will implement projects that contribute to increase the national production, Ranawaka said.

Farmers were encouraged to cultivate abandoned paddy fields under Gama Neguma.

Special attention was given to upgrade the dairy industry.

Villagers were encouraged to grow additional corps such as corn, green gram and chillies under the project.

The Economic Development Ministry assists the Agriculture Department to increase seed paddy production upto 50,000 bushels in the coming Maha Season.

There is a high demand for quality seed paddy with the North and East provinces returning to paddy cultivation. We hope to minimise the amount we import by producing more seed paddy, Ranawaka said. Seed onion production will be also increased.