Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena 

• Cabinet nod to allocate Rs. 650 m for program implementation
• Allocates Rs. 25 m for each Agricultural Modernisation Centre in select Divisional Secretariats
• Earmarks Rs. 175 m for key departments: Agriculture, Export Agriculture, Animal Production and Health, Cinnamon Development and Sri Lanka National Aquaculture Development Authority
• Pilot projects to start in 26 select Divisional Secretariats across all districts in initial phase
• Expansion to 75 Divisional Secretariats in second phase with three Secretariats from each district

By Charumini de Silva

In a significant move aimed at reinvigorating the agricultural sector, the Government unveiled plans to modernise and transform the industry earmarking a budget of Rs. 650 million. 

The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday cleared to implement the program, which aims to revolutionise the agricultural sector by introducing modern techniques and technologies, drawing inspiration from successful models adopted by other countries.

As per the approved proposal, in the first phase Rs. 25 million will be allocated for each Agricultural Modernisation Centre in the selected Divisional Secretariats. Additionally, a sum of Rs. 175 million will be distributed among key departments including Agriculture, Export Agriculture, Animal Production and Health, Cinnamon Development and the Sri Lanka National Aquaculture Development Authority. These centres will serve as hubs for knowledge exchange, training and technology dissemination, empowering local farmers with the tools and resources needed to embrace modern agricultural techniques.

In its initial phase, the program will kick-start pilot projects in 26 selected Divisional Secretariats spanning across the 25 districts. Subsequently, the second phase will witness the expansion of agricultural modernisation projects to 75 Divisional Secretariats, with three Secretariats earmarked from each district.

“These pilot projects will serve as testing grounds for innovative agricultural practices and technologies, paving the way for broader implementation in subsequent phases,” Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena said at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday. 

He also said the primary focus of the program is to modernise the agricultural practices, leveraging state-of-the-art technology and contemporary knowledge. Drawing insights from global examples of agricultural transformation, the initiative aims to enhance productivity and efficiency across the sector. 

A total of Rs. 2.5 billion from the 2024 Budget has been allocated for strengthening agriculture and fisheries modernisation boards. These funds will be utilised to establish Agriculture Modernisation Centres and roll out the program countrywide. The multifaceted initiative will be implemented through strategic short, medium and long-term plans aimed at modernising agricultural practices and enhancing productivity.

“The Government aims to unleash the full potential of its agricultural sector, paving the way for sustainable development, increased productivity and enhanced livelihoods for farming communities across the country,” Gunawardena added.

The proposal to this effect submitted by President Ranil Wickremsinghe was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. 

Land Management Trust to streamline Govt. land release