A discussion on the progress of the Central Provincial Council in the past year and the upcoming programs for this year was held under the patronage of Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, K.D. Lalkantha.
A discussion on the progress of the Central Provincial Council in 2025 and the upcoming programs for 2026 was held recently in Kandy under the patronage of Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, K.D. Lalkantha.
At the occasion, Minister expressed his views.
“There are many essential recruitments needed in the public service. In particular, the agricultural sector is short of 40% of Agriculture Research and Production Assistants. The data we receive comes from them. This has become a serious challenge for us
We now have sufficient rice. There are fluctuations in certain varieties of rice. Farmers cannot keep what they produce for even a week or two. That is a serious problem in the country. When considering milk production, we produce only about 40% of our own needs.
Since the Land Ministry is under our purview, many people make requests for lands. Most of them request lands to grow mangoes. Nobody requests lands to raise 10 or 15 dairy cattle. We need to encourage paddy farmers to raise dairy cattle. That is an area from which economic benefits can be gained.
During the last cultivation season, we worked together with the Department of Agriculture and planned a program called “Yaya 500.” We were unable to implement it. Those, who are engaged in the agricultural sector, lack sufficient commitment to develop their own economy. There are 30 institutions under our Ministry.
An agricultural export village program is being implemented by the Department of Export Agriculture. We are thinking about how to carry out that task. We have established a certain level of food security.”
Officials of the Central Provincial Council participated in this event.
