'Farmers should acquire modern knowledge to push Agri-based economy'

Thennakoon BANDARA-Moneragala Dailynews corr:

Farmers in rural areas should be equipped with modern techniques on Agriculture so as to uplift the Agriculture based economy of the country, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana said.

The minister was speaking after opening a newly built Farmer Marketing and Information Centre recently at Siyabalanduwa under the Dry Zone Livelihood Support and Partnership Programme (DZLISPP) which comes under the Agriculture Ministry.

"Since we live in a knowledge-based society, we cant neglect the enhancement of farmers' knowledge on Agriculture as their contribution has a great impact on the country's economy," he said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr.Sumedha G.Jayasena said that the government takes measures to bring relief to the farmer community. The government still continue the fertilizer subsidies.

The Farmer Marketing and Information Centre will support them to boost their knowledge of new methodologies on agriculture and that will help boost the agriculture production, she said.

The centre will provide quality seeds, new agriculture knowledge and support in selling products. Rs two billion was spent for the centre. Four Seed Paddy Processing machines were also distributed by the Agriculture Minister to farmers' societies in the Siyabalanduwa Divisional Secretariat area. Monaragala district Parliamentarian Vijitha Berugoda, Uva Chief Minister's Secretary Ranjan Bandara, SiyabalanduwaPradesiya Sabba chairman and T.M.Ariyarathne, the DZLISPP District Programme Manager also participated.