Govt. to broaden modernisation of agriculture targeting higher prices in export market

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said a modernisation of the agrarian economy has been launched to enable farmers to obtain higher prices for their produce and further steps will be taken in the next few years to broaden the initiative to direct agricultural products to the export market.

The Prime Minister disclosed these initiatives while participating in several events held to declare open a number of development projects in the Moneragala District.

The Prime Minister on Saturday declared open three newly built buildings with auditoriums at Kataragama, Badalkumbura and Siyambalanduwa Divisional Secretariats and distributed compensation payments to the farmer community who had lost their crops in the Moneragala District.

The Premier also inspected the Buttala passion fruit cultivation project implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture.

Speaking further, Wickremesinghe said the United National Front Government that came to power in 2015 initiated has brought about a massive development in all parts of the country and the masses are reaping the benefits now.

“One of the main objectives of this Government is to modernise the country. We have modernised all sectors of the country. The modernisation of agriculture is very successful. It is important to note that we have taken steps to expand the export sector further by increasing agricultural production.”

The Premier said the modernisation of agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and other sectors has begun and the goal is to transform the country into an export economy in the next 10 years.

“In this context, financial activities should be focused on directing not only manufacturing and tourism but also agriculture to the export market. In these areas modern methods of improving agriculture should be introduced. We plan to prepare the background for the farmers to earn higher prices by exporting vegetables, fruits and other products produced by the farmer community.”

Minister of Public Administration, Disaster Management and Livestock Development Ranjith Madduma Bandara speaking at the occasion, said that the present Government has made a huge development in the Moneragala District.

He said that the prolonged drought in Moneragala area has severely damaged the farmers’ crops and that the present Government has taken measures to compensate all of them.

Minister of Internal and Home Affairs and Provincial Councils and Local Government Vajira Abeywardena said that the program launched by the present Government since 2015 to strengthen district administration and local administration has been very successful.

Minister Abeywardena said the present Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is working with foresight to build a better future for the country and all the people of this country should value the service rendered by him.

Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri said the UNP government that came to power in 2002 had planned to build an airport in Wellawaya but the last government had taken it to the Hambantota district and treated the people of Moneragala with great injustice.

Secretary to the Ministry of Internal and Home Affairs and Provincial Councils and Local Government Gamini Seneviratne, Government Agent of Monaragala D. S. Padmakulasuriya, senior Government officials and people’s representatives were also present.