Govt to protect agri sector from fuel hike

Disna Mudalige

"The government would ensure that the recent fuel price hike would not affect the agriculture sector", said Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S M Chandrasena.

He said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed that the fertilizer subsidy be continued and the prices of chemical fertilizers in the market remain unchanged.

He made this comment participating in the launch of the third phase of the Divi Neguma programme at a household in the Kaduwela Divisional Secretariat Division.

The minister observed that collection of data and planning would take place until March 31 and the programme would ceremoniously commence countrywide with the participation of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa on April 5.

He said that under the third phase cottage industries would be introduced to 2.5 million domestic units.

He observed that pre planning and data collection would help to create a balance among cultivations preventing excess harvest from one particular vegetable or fruit variety in one area.

He said that economically beneficial vegetables and fruits which are needed and have a scarcity would be introduced after evaluating the applications.

He observed that the Divi Neguma programme helped to sustain the country's economy when the world was faced with various crisis situations.