Agri sector key to development - PM
Yasaratne Gamage in Vavuniya
It is necessary to increase agriculture sector’s contribution to
achieve targets of making Sri Lanka the wonder of Asia in keeping with
the Mahinda Chintana vision for the future and the Agriculture Ministry
has taken initiatives on behalf of the farming community in this regard,
said Prime Minister D M Jayaratne at the Vavuniya Seed Farm on Monday.
Prime Minister D M Jayaratne |
Addressing the gathering on the opening day of the National Farmers
Week and Agriculture Exhibition - 2011, the Prime Minister stressed that
it is essential to produce rice, vegetable and fruits, the country needs
so that money spent for import could be utilized for other purposes.
He said the Agriculture Ministry has proved that self-sufficiency is
an achievable target. He invited the farming community to be united
disregarding differences for the betterment of the country.
Earlier on the day Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena
opened the exhibition for the public who were eagerly waiting to
experience the first ever exhibition of its kind after the dawn of
peace.
The National Farmers Week and the Agriculture Exhibition are held
annually to appreciate and recognize farmers contribution to the economy
and to revive local agriculture in techniques and production to create
self-sufficiency.
This year’s theme, Uthura Dakuna Ekama Kethak, Yali Peradiga Ran
Atuwak (one field for the north and south and golden bin for the east
again) depicts emerging development in the agriculture sector,
especially in the north where massive revival projects are carried out
in every sphere.
A large number of exhibition stalls from both private and government
sector institutions to show development in the field of agriculture and
related areas are open for the public. In addition, seminars, awareness
programmes, film screening have been organized to educate the people on
agriculture.
A seminar on Nutrition and Local Food Consumption was conducted at
the Agriculture School at Vavuniya.
A religious day in line with the programme was held on Sunday with
the patronage of Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena where Buddhists,
Hindu, Muslim and Christian religious observances were held in religious
centres to invoke blessings for the programme.
The second day will proceed under the theme Youth Entrepreneurship
Day. A marathon race for school children and adults will also take
place.
Agrarian and Wild Life Minister S M Chandrasena, Parliamentarian A H
M Azwar, Vavuniya Government Agent, P H M Charles, Central Province
Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake and Agriculture Ministry Secretary K E
Karunatilake were present. |