Agriculture Minister visits Addalaichenai:

Farmers urged to take to other field crops

I L M Rizan, Addalaichenai central correspondent

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena presides at a meeting held at the auditorium of the Assistant Director of Agriculture, Addalaichenai. Picture by I L M Rizan, Addalaichenai central correspondent

Residents of Addalaichenai should take to other field crops such as ground nut cultivation, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said.

The minister who visited the office of the Assistant Director of Agriculture, Addalaichenai recently, said the area was highly developed in adapting improved methods of paddy cultivation.

"The ministry is prepared to provide assistance and technical advice," Abeywardena said.

He said the AD's office will be given all facilities to manage a fully fledged agriculture office.

The office building was constructed at Rs 12.5million by NECCORD.

The minister's main aim of the visit was to inspect agricultural extension activities in the coastal areas, especially the cultivation of ground nut.

A meeting was held at the auditorium of the Assistant Director of Agriculture, Addalaichenai, where farmers and other officers were present. Assistant Director of Agriculture M F A Zaneer presided over the meeting followed by a discussion. Eastern Provincial Council Road Development Minister M S Udumalebbe, Digamadulla MP P H Piyasena, Ministry Secretary W Sakalasooriya, Additional Secretary G A M S Emathiyagoda, Public Relations Officer and Media Secretary Robinsanga Amarasena, Deputy Director of Agriculture A R A Latheef and Retired Divisional Secretary A L Ibralebbe were present at the meeting.