Agriculture should be given priority - Basil

Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, visited Maha Iluppallama Field Crop Research and Development Institute and Seed and Planting Material Development Centre recently on his way to National Agriculture Exhibition in Vavuniya to participate as Chief Guest. Minister visited those two important Agriculture institutes to inquire the possibility of obtaining their contribution for the Divi Neguma national development programme.

Minister held discussions with officers of the two institutes to ascertain how they can contribute to Divi Neguma programme. Minister thanked Mahinda Yapa Abeywardhana, Minister of Agriculture and officers of the Ministry for the assistance they have given to the Divi Neguma programme.

He said any development plan for Sri Lanka should be based on agriculture in first place and Mahinda Rajapaksa government always has given priority to that section in all government development strategies. Field Crop Research and Development Institute and Seed and Planting Material Development Centre can contribute immensely for the country's development.

Minister emphasized that seeds should be made available timely at adequate prices and various technologies should be encouraged to improve development of the Agriculture sector.

Minister appreciated the services rendered by the two institutes to conduct the research and development programs on field crops aiming at developing new technology and facilitating the technology dissemination for enhancement of production and productivity in the field crop sector.

The officers expressed their gratitude to the Minister and the government because the government has taken steps to safeguard and develop the agriculture research and training institutes of the country.

He was accompanied by Minister of Wildlife and Agrarian Services, S.M. Chandrasena, Chief Minister of North Central Provincial, Bertie Premalal Dissanayake, a large number of scientists and high officials.