Assistance of all officers in agricultural key for success of Divineguma Phase VI: Basil

Monday, 18 August 2014 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa has emphasized that high level assistance extended by officers in the agricultural field for the successful implementation of previous five phases of Divineguma Program was praise worthy and similar assistance is solicited from them for the successful implementation of Phase VI. Minister made these comments at an awareness program conducted recently at the Govijana Seva Mandiraya, Battaramulla to create awareness among the officers in the agricultural field including Provincial, district and departmental Directors of Agriculture with regard to their individual tasks in implementing Phase VI of the Divineguma Program.

Minister identified agricultural sector as the most important part of the Divi Neguma Program and stated that action will be taken this time to distribute 2.4 million packets containing 07 varieties of seeds and 12.6 million plants with 09 plants of 04 varieties in a packet among the beneficiaries. Rajapaksa recalled that in marking the inauguration of Phase V of Divineguma Program a dwarf variety of drumsticks was distributed to every household and to mark the inauguration of Phase VI, a Kathuru Murunga plant will be issued. Minister stated that “Each and every citizen should join the Divineguma National Program. This time we will do something different to attract people towards home gardening. Instead of seeds, various kinds of plants will be distributed, making a change in the program. Training in home gardening will be afforded to a member of each selected family. This training program will be conducted by officers in every Grama Seva Division at the Agrarian Service centre. Phase Vi will commence on 20th October.” Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Deputy Minister Y.G.Padmasiri , Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture and a host of officers in agricultural field were among the large gathering present on this occasion.