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Govt. to set up agri marketing unit to help farmers: PM

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27 February 2017 07:30 pm - 14     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Government is hoping to set up a national agricultural marketing authority to help farmers, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

He told those who had gathered at the opening of a new office of the Rural Economy Ministry that the Government would get the private sector involved in it as well.

“The Ministry of Rural Economy has to move away from traditional thinking and on move in this direction is the setting up of a national agricultural marketing authority with the objective of helping our farmers,” the Prime Minister said. “The debt we have inherited amounts to more than Rs 400 billion which has to be repaid within the next ten years. Domestic debt is much higher. The revenue will have to used to repay these debts. We have to think out of the box. We need innovative ideas. Countries such as China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam have achieved development by using new ideas. While these countries have changed, Sri Lanka is stuck in one place after the end of the war.”

He said the country needs peace for the economy to flourish.

“We have allowed the Tamils to sing the national anthem in their language. Earlier it was sung only in Sinhala. Today we can sing the national anthem in both languages and salute the national flag together. We are trying to bring about reconciliation through little things,” the Prime Minister said.

He said the country has to focus on livestock development with good varieties of cattle being provided to farmers. "We intend giving a glass of milk to children in rural schools. Instead of doing so with milk powder, we need to focus on providing them with fresh milk. Another objective is to convert poultry to an export industry. We can get a market for this produce,” the Prime Minister said. (Yohan Perera)

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  Comments - 14

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  • sene Monday, 27 February 2017 08:31 PM

    Your intentions are good but get rid of those who rob the poor farmers.Do not add more authorities, clean up existing institutions, good example is the powerful PMB.

    Banda Monday, 27 February 2017 09:10 PM

    PM please do something at least for change and tell us... via DM Android App

    concern Monday, 27 February 2017 09:20 PM

    Setting up marketing unit will not help the farmers if there is no water to grow. First priority is water,fertilizer,manpower and in return to a reasonable profit and not to import when market has excess of the same produce

    Shelly. Monday, 27 February 2017 09:27 PM

    2 years to put up office. Another 2 to find out what has to be done. 5th to get ready for election. 6th to go home leaving office for ever. via DM Android App

    Harry Tuesday, 28 February 2017 07:00 AM

    All these intentions never turns to reality!

    Kiris Baba Amaray Tuesday, 28 February 2017 07:55 AM

    its great Sir, you are concerned about the Farmers. Keep it up Hon. Prime Minister.

    J Palitha Tuesday, 28 February 2017 07:56 AM

    Great !!!! Great !!! we trust you Sir. Thank you for the concern towards the farmers of our nation.

    Kadupol Jothywansa Tuesday, 28 February 2017 07:59 AM

    Fine

    Desmond Jeromme Tuesday, 28 February 2017 08:01 AM

    Halloo, our PM is a molded personality in the Political arena. No need to teach him man.

    Vijith Tuesday, 28 February 2017 08:04 AM

    Never dream about this putha, it applies to Mahinda and his gangsters, mind it.

    Manuel Benjamin Tuesday, 28 February 2017 08:06 AM

    This united Government will never shake Shely. Don't dream MR to come to power again.

    Suni Tuesday, 28 February 2017 08:21 AM

    As we always say. All this is day-dreaming.

    melda Tuesday, 28 February 2017 09:17 AM

    so what is our old Paddy Marketing Board is doing via DM Android App

    Mason Tuesday, 28 February 2017 12:31 PM

    Hopefully, await another authority. Can someone say the number of such makings the PM has proposed and we are waiting for results.


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