Suraj A Bandara
The government will conduct an islandwide census on uncultivated lands and initial arrangements have been made to carry out the survey through the Agrarian Development Department, Prime Minister D M Jayarathna said.
He made this statement while participating in a ceremony to inaugurate renovation work at the Bowala canal which carries water to Bowala paddy fields in Gampola, yesterday.
The Premier pointed out that under the Agrarian Development Act the government could take over uncultivated paddy lands and re-cultivate them.
If the cultivable lands have been abandoned, they would be taken over by the government to re-cultivate, he said. He further said the government would provide financial assistance to the farmers who re-cultivate abandoned paddy lands.
He noted that the importance of agriculture should be understood by all and the people should be encouraged to cultivate paddy.
In 2000, a bumper harvest was recorded and there was a surplus of rice in the country. The government exported 2,000 metric tonnes that year, he said.
He was of the view that President Mahinda Rajapaksa expects through Divi Neguma national programme to create a family whose vegetable requirement could be obtained from their own lands. That programme is being carried out in the country with much success, he said.
The government is committed to uplift the rural economy and has invested a huge sum to bring the development to the village. Gampola district alone has been benefited under this with Rs.360 million financial allocation, the Premier pointed out.
The Prime Minister also attended an agricultural equipment distribution ceremony after the inauguration ceremony.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/09/29/news20.asp
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