Divi Neguma program, a timely one - Minister

President Mahinda Rajapaksa's warning about a possible food crisis in his 2010 budget speech highlights the importance of starting Domestic economic units islandwide, said Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W D J Seneviratne.

Minister Seneviratne was speaking at the launching of the islandwide Divi Neguma program at Farm Garden Housing Complex in Ratnapura.

Torrential rains and the resulting floods in the recent past had a great impact on the paddy yield and cultivations," he said.

The Minister said we should get rid of the dependence mentality and face all challenges. We can grow something useful even in a small compound of our garden.

"Instead of growing plants and flowers, it would be prudent to grow a vegetable or some greenery," the Minister said. "Therefore, the one million domestic economic unit program is a timely one to overcome any food shortage. A number of Ministries are helping Economic Development Ministry successfully implement this program.

"Every citizen who loves the Motherland should get-together to win the food war without caste or any other differences the Minister emphasized.