Govt. to boost domestic cultivation to stop imports - Agriculture Minister

Sri Lanka intends to stop importing food items which can be cultivated here by 2010, Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.

“We need the guidance and cooperation of the Asian Productivity Organisation to achieve the targets of this massive undertaking,” he said.

The Government has declared a National Policy on Agriculture and later followed it up with a massive national campaign to motivate domestic food production under the theme Api Wawamu-Rata Nagamu.

“Let us cultivate and uplift the nation,” Sirisena said.

It is very encouraging fact that the entire nation has rallied to make this national endeavour into a reality, the Minister said.

He made these remarks at the inauguration of a seminar on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for Improving Productivity of Irrigation Systems at the Hotel Galadari, Colombo on Monday.

The seminar reviews the present status of PPP in irrigation systems management in member countries.

The Minister said even after Sri Lanka achieved independence from colonial rule, the leaders of the country continued to give priority to develop agriculture.

“Every successive Government in power has taken action to establish farmer colonies, new irrigation systems and renovate and rehabilitating the existing ones with the ultimate goal of increasing productivity in the agricultural sector.”

“I believe the Asia Pacific Regional Agricultural Forum could be considered a timely move which brings immense benefits to its member countries including Sri Lanka.

It will undoubtedly pave the way for increasing productivity individually and collectively.

This forum would also promote interest towards cultivation through a joint effort by both State and private sectors.”

The seminar continues until August 30. The Asian Productivity Organisation is an organisation of 18 countries in the Asia Pacific Region with the objective of improving the productivity of agriculture and industry of member countries.