CTC to build 100 agro-wells

Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) with the Ministry of Economic Development embarked on a project to construct 100 agro-wells in Welioya to combat the drought which prevails in the region.

Each well serves four families, resulting in over 400 families benefiting from the project and is being conducted with the support of the Welioya District Secretary.

Costing Rs.300,000 each, the agro-wells can supply water to approximately 400 acres of land during the Yala, Maha and Meda seasons.

"The people of Welioya suffer due to inconsistent and insufficient water supply, which affects their health and livelihood. The construction of the agro-wells is a significant step in rural development," said CTC Managing Director and CEO, Felicio Ferraz.

The agro-wells will provide water for agricultural purposes. As such, the people will be in a better position to manage their lives, enabling them to produce crops throughout the year and not depend on the weather.

Sustainability and social responsibility play a pivotal role at CTC, with the company undertaking and completing many projects in the North and East in the recent past.

Recently, CTC constructed two 'A' Grade Police stations in Kilinochchi and Mankulam and built 72 houses in Jaffna and 50 houses in Thirukovil for tsunami victims.

Through the flagship CSR project SADP, CTC supported 1,000 families in Kilinochchi, 1,700 families in Trincomalee and also helped rehabilitate 1,449 ex-combatants by providing vocational training in agriculture.

CTC has committed an investment of Rs.30 million for the agro-well project.