FAO vehicles for agri training centres in North

Governor of the Northern Province, Maj. Gen. G A Chandrasiri, expressed his gratitude recently to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for its support to develop the agriculture and livestock sector in the Northern Province.

He was addressing a gathering where seven three-wheelers and 26 motor cycles were distributed to the District Agriculture Training Centres in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya, Seed Production Farms in the Vavuniya district, Agriculture Instructors from the Department of Agriculture, and Livestock Development Officers from the Department of Animal Production and Health. The vehicles were purchased under the FAO project funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to rebuild agricultural livelihoods in the North.

Agriculture and livestock officers in the region will now be able to attend to their tasks and respond to emergency situations swiftly, without waiting for official transport or using public transport.

The end of terrorism has created greater demands in the agriculture and livestock sectors in the region. With agriculture and livestock farmers expanding their operations, there is plenty of work, virtually round-the-clock for these officers.