Govt. to take over neglected paddy lands in WP: Minister

13 July 2023 07:49 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 5 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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The government has decided to take over cultivable paddy lands that are left uncultivated in the Western Province (WP) by amending the Govijana Development Act, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

He said the Ministry has taken measures to provide the necessary financial provisions and agro-technical knowledge to those who are interested in cultivating vegetables and fruits through the 'Sojan' method of cultivation in the uncultivable paddy lands of the Western Province.

The government has allocated Rs. 900 million for the development of cultivation activities and a certain amount has been allocated for Sojan cultivation as well, Minister Amaraweera said..

Sojan cultivation involves digging trenches between two strips of land to facilitate the drainage of non-draining wetlands.

Accordingly, Rs. 500,000 will be provided for the farmers who grow vegetables in greenhouses.

"In the Western Province, there are many paddy lands that have not been cultivated but can be cultivated. Many people have not cultivated the paddy fields on both sides of the main roads, maybe to be filled and used for construction purposes. But, according to a decision taken by the Cabinet, from now on we will not allow the filing of paddy fields except for essential purposes," he said. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)

Comments - 5

Jude Thursday, 13 July 2023 08:55 AM

This should be implemented islandwide. And at the same token farmers should be given incentives for Paddy cultivation!! I reiterate, SL could be developed only through agriculture and agribased industries!!

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Cugan Thursday, 13 July 2023 11:14 AM

Go and see the coconut estates in Kurunagala, it's being put barbed wire fence and put a small hut for watchman thats all,no cultivation what's so ever not even look after the trees or there is no activities at all,it's being given by Govnt to all the big shots acres and acres.......not regular check ups.

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Coconut farmer Thursday, 13 July 2023 04:04 PM

That's because wholesale coconut price is Rs50 and a bag of fertilizer causes RS 13000. Calculate the labor, diseases etc etc and go figure

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BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 13 July 2023 11:19 AM

This kind of decision making is called "sangeetha sandarshana". It is nice baila to listen but has no effect on anything. First this Minister should find out why we are not effective in our agriculture leaving alone the greatest disaster committed by these idiots themselves.

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N V Jen Thursday, 13 July 2023 04:59 PM

Can the public take over those duties the govt. is neglecting, especially arresting the mega looters and their cohorts and bringing back the money to Sri Lanka?

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