Japan provides Rs. 468 million for purchase of tractors

The government of Japan under the Japanese Grant Assistance for Food Security Project or the 2KR programme extended Japanese Yen 380 million (approximately Rs. 468 million) for the purchase of 946 tractors for distribution among needy farmers and for use in two seed farms in the North, through farmer organizations in 25 districts in 10 provinces.

The tractors consist 896 two-wheel tractors and 50 four-wheel tractors.

The four-wheel tractors were handed over in December 2011.

A total of 63 two-wheel tractors and 2 four-wheel tractors will be provided to farmers in the Southern Province, of which 5 two-wheel tractors were handed over to farmers at a ceremony in Matara yesterday. Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Ambassador of Japan, Nobuhito Hobo , and Chief Representative of JICA Sri Lanka Office, Harumi Ao, participated in the ceremony.