Govt. to set up Sustainable Agricultural Development Centre to enhance food security

• Cabinet approves move to boost farmers with equipment, planting material
  
   

The Cabinet on Tuesday gave approval to secure funds to establish a Sustainable Agricultural Development Centre, with the objective to further strengthen national food security in the country. 

The proposal to set up a Sustainable Agriculture Development Centre, presented by Agriculture, Rural Economic Affairs, Livestock Development, Irrigation and Fisheries, and Aquatic Resources Development Minister P. Harrison, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

The new Centre will be established combining the Centre of Excellence for Organic Agriculture in Makandura, as well as the Regional Agricultural Research and Development Centre in Makandura.

The Minister also received the Cabinet’s approval to allocate funds to provide farmers with necessary equipment to ensure the quality of seeds and planting materials. This will help farmers produce quality seeds, and provide facilities for the improvement and proper maintenance of gardens where mother plants are grown.

In addition, the funds will be allocated to promote new plant varieties and approved imported planting materials, ensure the quality of seeds and planting materials in the market, utilisation of multiple media advertising methods for awareness on quality planting materials, and to widen the industry of producing planting materials.