Govt’s agricultural drive, a boon for rural sector – Minister

THENNAKOON BANDARA, Monaragala Daily News corr

The agricultural drive launched under the Mahinda Chinthana forward vision benefits the rural sector, Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Minister Jagath Pushpakumara said.

The minister was addressing a meeting at Dombagahawela in the Siyabalanduwa DS area to distribute coconut saplings among farmers recently.

Pushpakumara said the ministry took measures to distribute one million coconut saplings within two weeks to mark the seventh anniversary of the assumption of office of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The government plans to plant 33 million coconut saplings between 2011-2016 under the Kapruka Purawara programme. The ministry also plans to provide employment to 5,000 rural youths through the Kapruka Nipayum Piyasa where coir based products can be manufactured. The Kapruka Nipayum Piyasa in Nagahamada in the Madulla DS area functions well where 50 youths are employed, he said.

Pushpakumara appreciated the Cuban government's support to the government to boost coconut cultivation. He said some were planning to destablise the government and the timely need today was to rally round the government to defeat these sinister forces.

The minister distributed 70,250 coconut saplings in 16 locations in the Siyabalanduwa DS area.

Uva Provincial Council member Chandana Welivita, minister's public relations officer K Madduma Bandara, Siyabalanduwa PS member R M Rathnayaka, Siyabalanduwa Assistant Divisional Secretary, coconut development officers and Grama Sewaka officers also participated.