About Us

Duties and Functions of the Ministry

1. Formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies, strategies, programmes and projects, in relation to the subject of agriculture, livestock, land, and irrigation.
2. Provision of public services under the purview of the Ministry in an efficient and people friendly manner
3. Reforming all systems and procedures using modern management techniques and technology, thus ensuring that the functions of the Ministry are fulfilled while eliminating corruption and waste.
4. Improving efficiency of food production in such a way as to ensure food security in the country
5. Ensuring the providing of safe and healthy food by means of quality agricultural products
6. Promotion of the production of food that can be efficiently cultivated locally
7. Promotion of the local cultivation of suitable crop substitutes for imported crops
8. Promotion of export agri- villages
9. Implementing and maintaining a real-time agricultural data base
10. Utilization of new technology for maintenance of stocks and ensuring effective supply chain
11. Taking necessary measures to enhance agricultural production based on crops diversification
12. Formulation of strategies to guarantee to the consumer community the quality of local agricultural products
13. Directing traditional farmers, youth and students towards agricultural education opportunities with modern technology
14. Encouraging the development of young agricultural entrepreneurs
15. Regulating of chemical pesticides and other chemical compounds with specific standards
16. Expansion of farmers’ pension schemes and crop insurance schemes for those engaged in agricultural activities
17. Ensuring of a reasonable price to farmers’ production by strengthening supply chains
18. Minimizing adverse effects of natural disasters by communicating information related to climatic changes and daily weather reports to farmers
19. Implementing methodologies to provide quality seeds and plants to farmers
20. Water management and management of water supply according to farmer requirements
21. Popularizing agricultural development zones, agricultural villages and farmer-administered co-operatives and farmer companies
22. Implementation of programmes for promoting and uplifting small scale agri- businesses and organizations
23. Expanding and encouraging programmes for the gradual orientation towards use of organic fertilizer and toxic free food production
24. Efficient implementation of quality fertilizer import and distribution within the government subsidy policy
25. Formulating methodologies for the timely distribution of standardized chemical fertilizer and environmental friendly organic fertilizer
26. Encouraging production of organic fertilizer using local raw materials according to international standards
27. Implementation of a fair pricing policy and crop diversification programme that is acceptable to the local farmer and consumer
28. Implementation of a systematic mechanism for storage of surplus production
29. Implementation of a programme for export of value added agro products
30. Introducing a domestic seed policy for production of quality seeds to international standards
31. Encouraging the private sector to produce quality seeds and planting materials
32. Developing government farms and seed production farms
33. Minimizing food imports by maximizing local production
34. Provision of necessary facilities to enhance production in the livestock sector
35. Animal welfare and related activities
36. Implementation of necessary steps to expand livestock related research by using modern technology leading to qualitative and quantitative increase in production.
37. Popularization of scientific breeding methods for the improvement of animal population in the livestock sector and activities related to protection and quarantine of such animals against diseases
38. Encouraging the development of small and medium scale farms to suit different geographical regions
39. Promotion of livestock related products and encouragement for exportation
40. Providing required land and investment facilities to construct medium and large scale cattle farms
41. Expanding opportunities for local production and consumption by promoting small and medium-scale livestock producers
42. Administration and personnel management of the Sri Lanka Animal Production and Health Service
43. Facilitating the cultivation of maize required for local demand including animal feed
44. Administration and personnel management of Sri Lanka Agricultural Service
45. Administration and management of state lands
46. Formulation of a new legal framework for effective land administration and management
47. Implementation of national land use plan
48. Establishment of a national land council
49. Matters relating to land settlement and registration of land titles
50. Efficient allocation of land required for the country’s development
51. Implementation of an integrated land information infrastructure connecting all local government authorities and land management institutions
52. Acquisition of lands required for government activities
53. Administration of lands vested in the Land Reform Commission and distribution of land in accordance with the law
54. Land surveying and mapping, provision of land information and related services
55. Preparing and updating a database on lands vested to the Government and the Land Reforms Commission
56. Development of Irrigation Industry in Sri Lanka
57. Provision of a systematic water supply by construction of irrigation and drainage systems and their proper maintenance
58. Controlling flood and drainage through flood control schemes
59. Monitoring, forecasting and early warning of floods in major river basins
60. Proper management of reservoirs and irrigation facilities required for electricity supply and drinking water whilst giving priority for agricultural development in principle.
61. Determining catchment areas and river basins and taking necessary measures for their sustainable conservation and development
62. Developing strategies for controlling water pollution and protection of water quality
63. Mitigating the pollution of water sources such as rivers, canals and tanks
64. Implementation of irrigation development programmes
65. Formulation of dam safety measures
66. Implementation of sea water exclusion schemes
67. Formulation of programmes and projects for the conservation of underground water resources and rain water conservation
68. Implementation of development programmes in Mahaweli zones and land related activities
69. Development of local crops such as cinnamon and pepper for the export market under the Sri Lanka Brand instead of re-export
70. Matters relating to all other subjects assigned to Institutions under the Ministry
71. Supervision of all Institutions under the Ministry