Idle lands to be put to good use

By Ananda Kannangara

All fertile lands, which are not being used by its owners due to various reasons will be converted into profit making agricultural lands under a program to be initiated by the Agricultural Ministry.

The program will run parallel with the recently launched Government's `Waga Sangramaya,' in collaboration with Divisional Secretariats islandwide.

"Under this program, officials will ask the owners of such lands whether they are prepared to utilise them for agricultural purposes or wish to hand them over to these interested to cultivate essential agricultural items on a temporary basis," Agricultural Development Minister Maithreepala Sirisena told the `Sunday Observer'.

He said according to statistics, all major provinces including the Western Province, Kalutara, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces have much fertile land which are not utilised by its owners either for agricultural or for any other economic purposes.

"It is a national crime to keep valuable lands idling, as people are interested to help the Government's agricultural development drive. Due to lack of fertile lands with better climatic conditions, they are unable to fulfil their obligations."

Asked whether people who have enough lands would endorse the Government's program, the Minister said that it was a better investment for people who have enough lands.