Moves to ensure farmers' safety

Ishara Mudugamuwa

The Agriculture Ministry will implement a proper plan this year to ensure the health and safety of farmers, said Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane.

At a meeting held recently at the ministry on the National Agriculture Research Plan, Minister Abeywardane said the ministry has taken measures to identify common diseases among farmers and harmful agriculture machinery to provide guidance to avoid health and safety problems.

Minister Abaywardane also said the ministry will obtain the support of university academics for the development of the agriculture field especially for research activities. The ministry will provide all financial assistance for university academics to carry out their research, he said.

"The ministry has also paid attention to research on rice, water and soil management, reducing the gap between the expected harvest and the actual harvest, enhancing the productivity of paddy cultivation etc.

"The ministry also plans to enhance the production of soya beans, maize, chillies, big onions, green grams and fruits." he said.