Japan provides equipment to power food drive

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

The Japanese government provided agriculture equipment, including four wheel tractors for agriculture, under the 2KR programme to enhance the local food production drive.

Under 2KR-2010, Japan donated 50 four wheel tractors and 896 two wheel tractors valued at 360 million yen.

They donated 50 four wheel tractors and will provide two wheel tractors before February, said Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane addressing the donation ceremony at the Agriculture Ministry recently.

"The Japanese government always provides assistance for the agriculture sector of the country. Japan is a close friend of Sri Lanka," he said.

"They are with us to share our victories and failures," said the minister.

Japanese ambassador Nobohitho Hobo said agriculture is an important sector of economic development of a country. "Many countries suffer without sufficient food and water. Farming communities should be encouraged to enhance agriculture production by providing technical and financial assistance for them," he said.

The ministry has provided 32 tractors to the Agrarian Development Department, 15 tractors for seed farms and three tractors for Uva, Sabaragamuwa and Wayamba provincial agriculture departments.