Farmer Awards 2008 to coincide with Ag - Biz exhibition

The Farmer Awards 2008 will be held concurrent to the Ag-Biz exhibition 2008 and the trade fair scheduled to be held from August 22-24 at the BMICH.

Organised by the National Agribusiness Council (NAC), the applications for the awards are available at the NAC Secretariat, District Regional Farmer councils, Agro input dealers of A. Baur and Co, Hayleys, Jinasena, Mackwoods and the Agro chemical division of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.

All farmers can receive these prestigious awards and the applications will close on June 14.

The application fee has been reduced but the applications should be certified by the Regional Farmer Council or the agricultural instructor of the area.

“Once the applications close we will evaluate the applications and select the best.

When this process is completed we will go to the field and check their credentials to ensure that they have a farm and to check the accuracy of the application, said Secretary NAC, Asoka Gopallawa.

He said the winners will receive agricultural equipment such as tractors and threshers.

In addition prizes will be offered to the best farmer in each district while there are consolation prizes too.

The awards will not only recognise the farmers practising traditional agriculture but also persons engaged in Aquaculture, ornamental fish rearing and the latest category organic fertiliser.

The Farmer awards were started in 2006 to recognise the farming community for the valuable contribution they are making to the agricultural sector of the country. The winners can use the logo and this helps them to establish contacts to further their ventures.

In 2006, the winners were from Matale, Hambantota and Moneragala while last year the winners were from Puttalam, Hambantota and Badulla.

SG