President instructs officials to encourage local food production

Wednesday, 22 July 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Maithripala Sirisena speaks at the local food production program meeting – Pic by Presidential Media Unit

President Maithripala Sirisena has asked the relevant officials to submit a plan to introduce a proper local food production process in order to promote a local food culture within the country.

Addressing a special discussion on a local food manufacturing program held at the President’s Office on Monday, the President noted that the objective of the Government was to create a self-sufficient economy within the country by stopping the import of food items that could be cultivated locally.

He pointed out that the Government spent Rs. 154 billion annually to import various food items. Out of the 38 food items that were being imported, almost all of them except for four food items, including dhal, gram and apple, could be cultivated within the country.

The support of both the state and private sector would be obtained to implement a plan to produce the food items locally. It would be implemented as a three-year project. The President instructed the relevant authorities to submit a plan within three weeks.

During the meeting, attention was focused on addressing the problems faced by farmers. It has been decided to make it compulsory for landowners to cultivate the lands that can be used for growing crops.

Secretary to the President P.B. Abeykoon, Agriculture Department Director General Dr. Rohan Wijeykoon and other officials were also present at the meeting.