Over 80 percent K'gala paddy lands under cultivation

Ariyapala WANSATHILAKE- Kurunegala Central Special Corr

Agriculture Provincial Director B Wijenayake said 80 percent of paddy lands in the Kurunegala district are being cultivated.

He was addressing the Kurunegala District Agricultural Committee meeting held at District Secretariat Auditorium Conference Hall.

Kurunegala District Secretary Kusum Hettige presided.

Wijenayake said most development projects in the district had been concluded.

He said 47 acres had been taken over by the Government to distribute among landless families.

He said the government had allocated Rs 2.067 million this year for the fertilizer subsidy.

The Government had also encouraged farmers to cultivate abandoned lands in the North Western Provinces, Wijenayake said.

Provincial Commissioner of Samurdhi Authority Indu Jayasekara said, plans are under way to uplift the living standards of low income families in the Kurunegala district. Under this program, aid, credit facilities and implements have been provided to those engaged in self-employment, Jayasekera said.

A home garden project has also been initiated where cultivators have been supplied with seedlings, fertilizer and agricultural implement.

Zonal Director of Irrigation M M T Bandara said rain has caused heavy damage to vegetable cultivation in the district.

Many vegetable cultivations have been washed away while some have been subject to diseases, according to reports.

A M Ratnayake attached to the Coconut Development Board said Coconut Development Board Authorities have failed to remedy the fertilizer shortage in several areas in the Kurunegala District.

The issuing of fertilizer has also been slow, he said.