People need helping hand to join Govt's agricultural drive

The Sunday Observer last week sought the views of the public on the remarks, made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the `Sooriya Singha' awards presentation that people in the country must truly take part in future development activities. Here the excerpts from the interview:

Retired school principal Dayasiri Govinnage of Warakapola said.

"Although, the President has made such requests in the past, the majority people did not focus much attention, as they are not financially stable to start new ventures,".

"Therefore, I appeal to the President to provide people with funds to carry out development programs,".

A private sector executive Dhakshina Bodinayaka said "Our country has a large number of unattended, but fertile lands and why can not the Agricultural Ministry encourage people to cultivate these lands,". A businessman Rohitha Wijewardene said, unfortunately only few public servants, such as Government agents, Divisional Secretaries, Local Government officials and parliamentarians do not take any step to utilise these lands for viable ventures,".

Nelum Wijesinghe said that the Government has started many programs, such as `Maga Neguma', `Gama Neguma' and `Waga Sangrama' with the objective of developing the country in all aspects.

"Although the `Maga Neguma' program started with a huge bang, I have still not seen any development of roads in the rural sector, as majority of them are still in a deplorable condition,".

Kanthi Sirisena of Horana said "Before the country being developed in agriculture and industries, Government must provide electricity to all villages.

A schoolteacher Somapala Perera said the President should to encourage farmers by granting them with loans trough state banks of low interest, then, they will definitely fulfil the aspirations of the Government.

Nemsiri Gunathilka of Hanwella said the majority of the people would like to give agriculture a bright and make Sri Lanka the granary of the East and develop the industrial sector, but they are unable to do so owing to financial constraints.

"The Government could do well to cut down the taxes of all agricultural equipment for the benefit of farmer community,"

Gayan Buddhika of Ratnapura said "There are plenty of fertile lands which cannot be cultivated due to lack of water. Therefore, I urge the Agricultural Ministry to start irrigation projects, especially in rice producing areas,"

A retired electrician Basuru Ramanayaka said " Good that the President wants people to help the Government's development program and I wish the Government would keep the fertiliser prices stable, otherwise farmers will not be able to cultivate lands.

Ven. Induruwa Upali Thera, urged officials of the relevant Ministries to call upon people who are interested in commencing new industrial ventures and pledge their support to start industries,".

D.M. Somalatha said "We are aware that fertile lands in the country are being sold to real estate developers to construct houses, buildings and for other commercial purposes. "It is a pity the Government has not yet taken any viable action to stop selling such lands and it will badly affect to our future development activities,"

K. Dharmawardene of Dankotuwa commended the Government for initiating the "Waga Sangrama" agricultural program even at this juncture and requested the Agricultural Ministry to take immediate steps to bring down cost of all agricultural equipment and fertiliser.

Kumar Gunawardana of Habarakada said "Good that the President has taken a keen interest to develop the cattle farming to face the powdered milk crisis.

"I like to tell the President to establish more breeding farms and introduce a new scheme to distribute cows among rural farmers free because most of the cattle farmers are not financially sound to buy cattle,".

"As a response, the farmers can sell cow milk to Government owned milk collecting centres."

A university student Sunil Samaraweera said "Our country spends a large amount of foreign exchange annually on vehicle imports and vehicle spare parts, and we are aware that all these items can be manufactured locally.

"Therefore, I request the President to do a careful study on this and establish vehicle spare parts manufacturing firms here in collaboration with Japanese, Indian and German collaboration.

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