1 m home gardens program kicks off today

• Plants to be distributed to curfew-hit households 
• Apartments to get 10 plants 
• Project was expected to kick off in Jan. but delayed due to dry weather 
• Agriculture and livestock programs uninterrupted 

The one million home gardens program organised by the Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation, and Rural Development Ministry and the Samurdhi Development Department of the Social Security Ministry will be implemented today.

The program, which was to be implemented at the beginning of the year, was delayed due to dry weather, Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation, and Rural Development Secretary Neel Bandara Hapuhinne told Daily FT, adding that they had decided to go ahead with the project following discussions on Tuesday night.

“With curfew imposed, people have nothing to do at home, so for their mental wellbeing and relaxation, we are starting the home garden project,” he explained.

According to him, seed and plant distributions will take place and gardening advice will be provided to those partaking in the program. “We have made arrangements to distribute 10 plants to condominiums, including chili, so that people can maintain home gardens even in condominiums,” Hapuhinne added.

The program is one of several measures taken by the Ministry in order to meet consumer demand as well as strengthen the agriculture industry during the COVID-19 outbreak. According to Hapuhinne, there is a shortage of essentials like dhal and dried fish even in Pettah, which cannot be met in the next few days Hapuhinna said: “We wanted to get all these produce to public service centres and sell them to the public. However, with curfew imposed indefinitely, people have no way of going to these places.”

Thus arrangements have been made to provide consumers with essentials and all measures have been taken for essential agricultural and livestock programs to take place without interruption even when curfew is imposed.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry on Tuesday, paddy purchasing centres are to remain open so that farmers’ organisations can sell their produce and transportation, storage, and distribution of animal products like eggs, milk, and meat as well as items necessary for the production of animal products will be permitted even when curfew is imposed.

In addition to this, the working committee of the farmers’ organisations is to make decisions about the supply of water until regular seasonal meetings are held regarding the Yala season. Farming during the season must also take place according to the decisions taken at Mahaweli Division Coordinating Committee meetings until the main water control committee meeting is held.

Arrangements have also been made to store and transport chemical and organic fertiliser, seeds, and agrochemicals when curfew is lifted and farmers can purchase these items from farmers’ organisations and outlets.

When the curfew is lifted, farmers can sell their produce to consumers at 562 Govi Jana Seva Centres as well as Lak Sathosa supermarkets, Mahaweli offices, Divisional Secretariat offices, and the Gannoruwa Agriculture Park.