State, private sector MoUs to boost agricultural development

Tuesday, 9 September 2014 01:42 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A Memorandum of Understanding between the state and the private sector with the objective of developing local agricultural projects was signed recently at the Ministry of Economic Development under the aegis of Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

The state as well as the private sector has been contributing towards agricultural development in the Uva Province since 2006. Accordingly, it was possible to enhance the promotion of marketing natural bee honey by 425% in the Uva Province. In order to cater to the needs of bee honey in the country, around 50-60 tons of bee honey is presently imported and the objective of this bee honey project is the local production of around 50% of the total requirements. Promotion of local vegetables and fruits such as ash pumpkin, tomatoes, passion fruits and cucumber also will be undertaken under this project. The initiative National Agribusiness Development Program (NADeP) is presently implemented in around 12 districts in the country, financial facilities for which is provided by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). This program is successfully implemented in the districts such as Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Badulla and etc. Over 500 selected farmers are benefitted under this program where financial assistance is extended to purchase equipment required for infrastructure facilities such as irrigation and agricultural wells etc. The National Agribusiness Development Program is implemented under the Divineguma program undertaken by the Ministry of Economic Development. Further farmers in rural areas will be able to generate heavy volumes of additional income through community based organisations. The Memorandum of Understanding s envisaging state and private sector contribution towards uplifting the farmer community was signed by Dr. Nihal Jayatilake, Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Development and the officials of the two companies, Cargill’s Ceylon Limited and Ceylon Biscuits Limited. Minister Douglas Devananda, S.M.Chandrasena, Deputy Minister Susantha Punchinilame and a host of state and private sector officials were present on this occasion.