The inaugural ceremony of the maize cultivation project for the 2025 Yala season begins today under the first phase of the national program for efficiently cultivating all uncultivated agricultural lands in Sri Lanka in line with the 'Eka Mitata – Govi Bi

The inaugural ceremony of the maize cultivation project for the 2025 Yala season was held on August 11, 2025, at 10:00 AM at the Kantale Sugar Factory premises, under the first phase of the national program for efficiently cultivating all uncultivated agricultural lands in Sri Lanka, in line with the 'Eka Mitata – Govi Bimata' program.

The ceremony was presided over by Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratna and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra expressed his views on this occasion.

"We expect to create a very promising future for the Kantale area. We will have the opportunity to provide solutions to the land problems in this area through future discussions. Special decisions may need to be made regarding land in certain places. We are working to provide long-term solutions instead of temporary solutions in the livestock sector. Having several subjects related to agriculture combined together as a single ministry is a special advantage."

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha also expressed his views on this occasion.

"The 'Eka Mitata – Govi Bimata' program costs 627 million rupees. Today, 10 million rupees have been spent on this work. This amount is sufficient for the next few months to renovate irrigation channels and agricultural roads. Under this program, a farmer receives 10,000 rupees per acre. As this program is being implemented, some issues have arisen for some farmers and farmer organizations. After this discussion, I told them to speak about those issues."

"Uncultivated lands, regardless of whose they are, need to be cultivated. Otherwise, they can be taken over by the government. However, we always work to bring this matter forward in cooperation with farmers, not through Acts and law."

"We planned to cultivate maize in Kantale because it takes a short time period. Similarly, half of the maize our country needs is imported from abroad. A large amount of our country's dollars goes to other countries for this purpose. Because of this situation we planned to cultivate maize. The farmers involved in this program are dedicating themselves not for personal economic interests, but for a national need. Without building our country's economy, no activity can be carried out. The market problem has been solved within this project. The maize that is cultivated will be purchased by the National Food Promotion Board. The Department of Agrarian Development, National Food Promotion Board, farmer organizations, and farmers are united to make this activity successful. This is a joint effort. The money invested in this project is your own money. 'Eka Mitata – Govi Bimata' is not a duty that can be carried out individually. District Secretaries, Divisional Secretaries, farmer organizations, farmers and all parties are joining hands for this purpose. Those involved in this work are participating with the idea of contributing to a national duty, going beyond the idea of gaining profit for themselves."

"There are politicians as well as government officials who have misappropriated public funds. They deserve punishment. If farmers have problems, I work to refer them directly to the relevant officials and provide appropriate solutions. This has already been implemented within our Ministry."

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratna also joined this occasion and expressed his views.

"The land problems of Kantale residents are very complex. We are working to provide solutions for them in the future. This is an area that was devastated for many years and today we are preparing to transform it into a fertile land. Under this program, we have started to re-cultivate uncultivated lands. To obtain higher productivity from less land, we test the soil and provide suitable fertilizers and inputs accordingly. There are 32 laboratories to test soil. Accordingly, cultivation activities should be carried out in accordance with a scientific methodology."

"Farmers need encouragement for cultivation. For this purpose, cultivation subsidies are provided. Accordingly, 50,000 rupees per hectare is now being given for rice cultivation. Similarly, it has been decided to give 30,000 rupees per hectare to farmers who cultivate intercropping on rice lands. Special assistance programs have also been introduced for minor export crops."

"A large amount of money has been allocated for tank renovation in this year's budget. It has been decided to allocate even more money for this next year. The current President is working to solve market problems as well as farmers' problems. Our Agriculture Minister has a good understanding of solving farmers' problems. Therefore, we should all unite and work for the development of the country's agriculture."

Subsequent to this occasion, farmers and farmer organizations had the opportunity to present the problems they face regarding the 'Eka Mitata – Govi Bimata' program to the Ministers. During this, the Ministers also engaged in a discussion, exchanging ideas with the farmers about this program.