New Bill soon to ensure maximum productivity of lands

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by L. S. A. Wedaarachchi

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A new Agrarian Services Bill will be introduced shortly, aiming at maximum productivity of lands and the welfare of farmers and the landlords.

Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena said that the cultivation drive of the Government Api Vavamu Rata Nagamu project envisages the maximum productivity of lands.

He said that 23 essential food items which are imported at a cost of one hundred billion rupees can be cultivated successfully in Sri Lanka.

The Api Vavamu - Rata Nagamu cultivation drive aims at self-sufficiency in B onions, chillies, soya beans, kurakkan, grapes, oranges and potatoes within three years, he said.

A Presidential Task Force with Agricultural experts, university professors and scholars has been already assigned to handle this task, he said.

The Commissioner General of the Agrarian Development Department Ravindra Hevavitharana said that the new Bill was prepared after a series of consultations with all sections of the agrarian community, senior officials of the department and farmer organisations.