Enormous success of Divi Neguma programme:

More market avenues for agricultural products to be created

Chaminda PERERA

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday said with the Divi Neguma programme in full swing, the government is faced with a challenge of providing ample market avenues for fruit and vegetable production in the country.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa

Minister Rajapaksa was speaking at a discussion on the Divi Neguma programme at the Economic Development Ministry last Friday.

He said that the Divi Neguma programme launched throughout the country has been an enormous success and the surplus of some vegetables and fruits clearly shows the positive impact the programme has had on the country's production.

The minister said that the government will create local and international market avenues for these products.

The minister said that the prices of many agricultural products,including vegetables have gone down drastically with the increase in production due to Divi Neguma programme. The minister said that an increase in production has resulted in a surplus of many agricultural products, including vegetables.

Officials focused on how avenues are created for Sri Lankan agricultural products in the international market.

It was also discussed on obtaining assistance from government institutions related to exports and foreign missions towards creating market avenues for Sri Lankan products.

They stressed the need of developing a viable mechanism that will ensure close interaction between international buyers and the producers and the development of a consumer pattern in keeping with the country’s agricultural production.

The discussion also focused on the possibility of producing cordials, tinned foods, dehydrated foods by using the surplus of agricultural products.

Senior Ministers Athauda Seneviratne, S.B. Navinna, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Agrarian Services Minister S.M. Chandrasena and Minor Export Crop Promotion Reginold Cooray were also present.