Jaffna farmers manage cultivation effectively- Minister Sirisena

Vavuniya Special Corr.

Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena praised the Jaffna farmers for their untiring efforts in maintaining the stability of the agricultural sector in the North despite the difficulties faced by the Northern Province when the region was in peril due to terrorist activities.

Minister Sirisena opened the 555th Agrarian Services Centre in Karaveddi, Jaffna last week.

The total cost of the new building is Rs. 11 million.

Speaking at the opening ceremony the Minister said the Jaffna farmers met the challenges with limited facilities."Compared to their counterparts in the rest of the country, they manage their agriculture effectively with increased production.

Therefore, we should appreciate their efforts the Minister said.

Commenting on the agrarian services in Jaffna he said, there are Agrarian services officers, and field officers vacancies in the Jaffna district.We have already held examinations for recruitment of these officers. The problem can be solved before January.

"Jaffna farmers have once again started to cultivate grapes. If they do it properly we could stop the importation of grapes. Production of some agricultural crops like paddy increased in the last two years. If all types of food production are increased we can make the country self-sufficient in a few years," said the Minister.

The Agriculture Ministry has taken a positive approach to increase the production of food commodities through its national campaign to motivate domestic food production. "Let us cultivate and uplift the nation" under the Mahinda Chinthana concept, he further said. The main objectives of this program are to make the country self-sufficient in rice, grains such as maize and millet, fruits and vegetables and other minor food crops, he said.

Northern Province Governor G.A. Chandrasiri, Social Services and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda, Jaffna Government Agent K. Ganesh, the Agrarian Services Commissioner and several other officials participated.