Govt. will always work to protect farmer community: Basil
Tuesday, 19 August 2014 02:44
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Agricultural machinery and equipment worth Rs. 2.6 b under Chinese aid distributed
Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa has said the Government headed by the President will always work to ensure protection of the farmer community while developing the agricultural industry in the country.
Minister added that the government has taken action to provide modern machinery required for farming as well making available subsidized fertilizer, a stable price for agricultural products, development of tanks and irrigation works and improvement of agrarian service centres.
This was stated by the Minister at a ceremony held today (15) at the Galle Face esplanade for distributing agricultural machinery and equipment worth Rs. 2,600 Million received under Chinese Aid, among the Agrarian Service centre in the districts of Hambantota, Monaragala and Badulla.
The agreement with regard to taking over this consignment of machinery and equipment made available as a grant from the Chinese Government was signed in the presence of Mr. Wu Jaianghoo, Chinese Ambassador for Sri Lanka representing the Chinese Government and Dr. NihalJayatilake, Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Development on behalf of Sri Lanka.
The machinery and equipment distributed among the Agrarian Service Centres, Cultivation Societies and the members of the farmer community in the relevant districts consisted of four wheel and two wheel tractors, paddy planting machinery, harvesters, water pumps and various other equipment used for agricultural activities.
The Minister recalled that these machinery and equipment were made available by the Chinese Government in response to a request made around one year ago as per His Excellency the President MahindaRajapaksa’s instructions and Sri Lankans will be respectfully grateful to the Chinese Government and Chinese People.
Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa further stated that the government headed by the President will always take action to develop agriculture while protecting the farmer community and the government has commenced a special programme to develop agrarian service centres which were hitherto neglected. All Agrarian Service centres will receive new cabs. Minister recalled that the President has taken action to issue motor cycles to all field officers at a very negligible price as Rs.50,000.00 and it is the duty of the officers receiving such facilities to serve the people.
Speaking further, the Minister stated that the President has set apart Rs.4,000 million to strengthen the Farmer Banks consisting the members of the farmer community, enabling them to grant credit facilities required by the farmers. It will be possible under this programme for the farmers to obtain credit facilities at interest rates decided upon by themselves.
Addressing the meeting, Minister of Disa-ster Management MahindaAmaraweera stated that the President always acts as a leader who feels the pulse of the people and will work for the uplift of the local agriculture . He will not import food items on credit as done by the previous governments. Foreign debit balance has decreased and the government will obtain loans only for the development activities.
Deputy Minister of Economic Development M.L.A.M. Hisbullah and Dir-ector General of Agrarian Services M.A.S.Weerasinghe were present on this occasion.
