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It is observed that there is a great interest in resorting to eco-friendly agriculture in Ampara district where Maha season cultivation commenceearlier.
Progress review of the sustainable Agricultural Development Programme ‘’Saubagya’’ in Ampara district was held on 29.07.2021 at the District Secretariat, Ampara at which it was revealed that a proper plan is afoot for production of 38,903 Metric Tons of organic fertilizer to meet the requirement in the district. It appeared that both respective institutions and the farming community in the district are preparing for cultivation with great enthusiasm.
A total of 330,000 acres of paddy lands are being brought under cultivation both in Yala and Maha seasons in the Ampara district and its contribution to national paddy production is 22%. The highest cowpea cultivation district has also been the Ampara and its contribution to the national production amounts to 40 percent. In addition enormous contribution is also being made by farmers in Ampara district for cultivation of various agricultural crop productions including maize and chillie. At this review meeting, farmers made us aware on the preparation for Maha season cultivation as well as the organic fertilizer production programme. This year’s government allocation for agricultural development in Ampara district amounts to Rs.3000 Mn. The manner in which the said provisions are utilized for agricultural implementation, issues encountered by farmers, their views and proposals were discussed at this review meeting. The Agriculture Minister MahindanandaAluthgamage promised farmers to provide them with every facilities required for engaging in organic farming in thecoming Maha season.
The Minister MahindanandaAluthgamage stated that steps would be taken to provide farmers in the Ampara district with their organic fertilizer requirement for Maha season and don’t have unnecessary fear in this regard. He requested the representatives of farmer organizations and state officials to make the farmers aware on the same at ground level. The Minister instructed the relevant officials to make necessary steps to ensure productive implementation of foreign funded projects being implemented under the Ministry also emphasized that project officials should take steps to implement those projects by making aware of political authority as well as the state officials. At this meeting farmer organization representatives raised issues and problems faced by farmers and the way of finding practical solutions to them.
State Minister of Agriculture ShasheendraRajapaksa, Wildlife State Minister WimalaweeraDissanayake, Farmer Minister A.L.M. Athaulla- MP, W.D. Weerasinghe - MP ThilakRajapaksa joined this discussion. Ampara District Secretary, Provincial Secretary , Eastern Province and other responsible state officials also joined this discussion at which agricultural equipments and compensation cheques applicable to the previous year were distributed among farmers.
