Govt. eyes underutilised lands for cultivation and livestock management

• Task Force for poverty alleviation attempts to increase monthly income up to Rs. 25, 000 of 1 m poor families 
• BR says local intuitions will be used to promote agriculture and livestock management
• Discussions on how to promote home gardening to increase food safety

In a move to reduce poverty, the Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication held a discussion this week to explore ways to use unutilised and underutilised State-owned lands for cultivation of crops and livestock management.

The discussion was held at Temple Trees on Thursday with the participation of State officials and members of the Presidential Task Force.

Accordingly, agriculture, plantations, livestock and fisheries have been identified as the vital areas for economic revival and food security. Identifying suitable lands and to increase agricultural and livestock production were also discussed at the meeting, the Prime Minister’s Media Division said in a statement.

Speaking at the meeting, the Presidential Task Force of Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication head Basil Rajapaksa said one million families living below the poverty line would be assisted and the task force expects to increase their monthly income to Rs. 25,000 through utilising unused lands for agriculture and livestock management.

“We have identified Govijana Seva offices, Local Government institutions, co-operative outlets, economic centres, and divisional secretaries as key centres to conduct this program,” he said.

The statement said the Task Force identified 255,731 households that earn less than Rs. 10,000 per month and 568,715 households whose monthly income falls between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 20,000. Accordingly, the Task Force aims to increase the household income of about one million families in the country, it said.

The discussion also focused on identification of crops which can be cultivated on the basis of land and production requirements and promotion of home gardening for domestic consumption and food security. 

The Task Force also discussed how to regularise lands assigned to various institutions and use them for production purposes and develop an effective program for the fisheries industry.