Govt to conduct census on uncultivated lands
Suraj A Bandara
The government will conduct an islandwide census on uncultivated
lands and initial arrangements have been made to carry out the survey
through the Agrarian Development Department, Prime Minister D M
Jayarathna said.
He made this statement while participating in a ceremony to
inaugurate renovation work at the Bowala canal which carries water to
Bowala paddy fields in Gampola, yesterday.
The Premier pointed out that under the Agrarian Development Act the
government could take over uncultivated paddy lands and re-cultivate
them.
If the cultivable lands have been abandoned, they would be taken over
by the government to re-cultivate, he said. He further said the
government would provide financial assistance to the farmers who
re-cultivate abandoned paddy lands.
He noted that the importance of agriculture should be understood by
all and the people should be encouraged to cultivate paddy.
In 2000, a bumper harvest was recorded and there was a surplus of
rice in the country. The government exported 2,000 metric tonnes that
year, he said.
He was of the view that President Mahinda Rajapaksa expects through
Divi Neguma national programme to create a family whose vegetable
requirement could be obtained from their own lands. That programme is
being carried out in the country with much success, he said.
The government is committed to uplift the rural economy and has
invested a huge sum to bring the development to the village. Gampola
district alone has been benefited under this with Rs.360 million
financial allocation, the Premier pointed out.
The Prime Minister also attended an agricultural equipment
distribution ceremony after the inauguration ceremony.
|