Ranil moots write-off of paddy farmer loans; free State land to people

Wednesday, 8 June 2022 02:48 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday suggested to Parliament that all paddy farmer loans must be written off in their entirety as well as free State land to people in agriculture areas.

He made this key suggestion during his special statement in Parliament.

“We know that farming families who cultivate paddy on small lands are in a very precarious position. Farmers’ loans obtained by farmers with less than two hectares of land will be stopped immediately,” the interim PM Wickremesinghe said.

Referring to a past program to provide free Government lands to the people through guarantees like Swarnabhoomi and Mahaweli, the Premier said some Provincial Councils opposed the move.

“So, this did not succeed. At present, steps are being taken to give the people the right to ownership so that such protests do not arise,” he added.

In his statement, Wickremesinghe also said the task of rebuilding the declining agriculture must begin immediately.

“We are losing the international market for our export crops. Action must be taken to prevent this. Chemical fertilisers are needed to boost local agriculture. It costs $ 600 million a year to import fertiliser for paddy, vegetables, fruits, other major crops as well as our tea, rubber, coconut and export crops.

“Since manure has to be applied from time to time from the beginning to the end of a harvest. It is essential that fertiliser is exported without any shortages. We must ensure that no money or effort will be wasted,” the Premier emphasised.

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