Agriculture Minister unveils series of initiatives to boost agriculture industry

Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera 

• State-owned fertiliser companies offer high-quality tea fertiliser at discounted rates to growers
• ‘Agri Tech-24 Agricultural Technology Vision’ exhibition commences in Hambantota, showcasing innovative agricultural technologies
• Calls on farmers to complete paddy field cultivation within a day due to prevailing hot weather conditions
• Emphasises integrating modern agricultural techniques, advanced ploughing equipment
• Assures assistance to farmers cultivating alternative crops like maize, green gram amid water scarcity

Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera on Friday unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at boosting the agriculture sector. 

Speaking to the journalists at the Presidential Media Centre (PMD) under the theme “Collective Path to a Stable Country,” Minister Amaraweera outlined various measures to support farmers and enhance agricultural practices across the country.

One key announcement made by the Minister was the Government’s decision to provide high-quality tea fertiliser to growers at a discounted rate compared to the market price. “The initiative, led by State-owned fertiliser companies, aims to alleviate the financial burden on tea growers whilst promoting higher yields in tea cultivation,” he pointed out.

He acknowledged the recent increase in fertiliser prices but assured that efforts are underway to reduce these prices. “Both State-owned fertiliser companies, Commercial Fertiliser Company and Ceylon Fertiliser Company, have initiated measures to manufacture all required tea fertilisers and offer them to growers at subsidised rates,” he said.

In addition to the fertiliser subsidy, Amaraweera highlighted the commencement of the ‘Agri Tech-24 Agricultural Technology Vision’ exhibition at the Agri-Tech Park in Bataatha, Hambantota until 5 March. Coinciding with the 37th Asia-Pacific Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), this exhibition aims to showcase innovative agricultural technologies and practices to farmers and stakeholders.

He also encouraged participation in the upcoming ‘Agri Tech-24 Agricultural Technology Vision’ exhibition, noting its importance in driving agricultural innovation and progress in the country.

Addressing the pressing issue of water scarcity due to prevailing hot weather conditions, Minister Amaraweera urged farmers to complete the cultivation of their paddy fields within a single day. 

He also underscored the Government’s focus on diversifying crops in response to declining water availability. Assistance is being provided to farmers involved in growing grains such as maize and green gram to mitigate the impact of water scarcity on agricultural production.

The Minister stressed the importance of integrating modern agricultural technology, such as the ‘parachute’ method for planting seedlings and the use of Disk Plough and Mould Board Plough in ploughing operations, to enhance productivity and efficiency in farming.

Highlighting the success of high-density cultivation projects, the Minister revealed that 59 such projects were initiated, yielding around 1,350 kg of tea leaves per month from one acre of cultivation. “These projects, with an estimated expenditure of around Rs. 1,000 million, demonstrate the Government’s commitment to modernising and improving agricultural practices in Sri Lanka,” he emphasised.

Minister Amaraweera expressed gratitude to President Ranil Wickremesinghe for his visionary leadership, which facilitated the implementation of these agricultural enhancement measures.