One million domestic economic units program begins in March

Darma Sri Abeyratne and Disna Mudalige

Arrangements have been made to launch the one million domestic economic units program by mid March, said Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S M Chandrasena.

This program will be implemented islandwide with the guidance of a number of Ministries and coordination of all Departments, Corporations and government institutions.

The Minister participating at a meeting with Agrarian Services Department staff at the Folk Arts Centre yesterday, said that programs to create awareness among stakeholders regarding this program are in progress. He said that this program will be implemented in all 14,000 Grama Niladari Divisions in the country. About 50,000 officers have been selected officially to supervise this program continuously.

Minister Chandrasena noted that the distribution of fertilizer, seed, equipment and plants free to selected families will be started in March. Vegetables, grains and fruits necessary for the consumption of the family will be cultivated in home garden premises under this program.

The program will be operated under three main sections - agriculture, livestock and fisheries, and domestic industries and business.

It will be coordinated in the National, District and Regional levels. This should be understood as a unitary effort and all should give their maximum support for its success, he said.