COLOMBO (News 1st):- The “Saubhagya National Programme On Harvesting And Cultivation” which aims to develop 1 million home gardens was launched today (April 4). The program is being implemented under the supervision of the Ministry of Irrigation, Mahaweli Development, and Agriculture with the aim of making Sri Lanka self-sufficient in relation to food production.

A press briefing to create awareness on the program was held today at the Department of Government Information.

Co-Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Bandula Gunawardena speaking on the matter said;

“Sri Lanka imports many essential items. This is the most pertinent time to begin this program.  A packet of seeds that includes 5 varieties of vegetables including capsicum and okra will be provided to each household at a cost of just Rs. 20. The Government has borne a cost of more than Rs. 150 to produce these packets. They will be distributed through Samurdhi Officers.”

Meanwhile the Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Mahaweli Development, Neil Bandara Hapuhinna states;

“This is a program which was planned for over 2 months. According to our predictions, at least 75% of this will in fact be grown. However, if these expire it will not grow. There are more than 40 million school students in Sri Lanka and nearly 200,000 teachers. There are 1.4 million state workers. Think of this as a service you are rendering to the nation.”

A government drive to encourage cultivation at homes also began today (April 4).  The opening ceremony was held at a dairy farm under the purview of the National Livestock Development Board in Ridiyagama, Hambantota.

Chairman of the National Livestock Board Dr Manjula Magamage presided over the event. The program is being implemented under the supervision of the Ministry of Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development in a bid to make Sri Lanka self-sufficient for food.

The Chairman of the NLDB speaking to the media said;

“As an institution which has 30,000 acres of lands under its purview, the National Livestock Development Board together with the Ministry of Agriculture has joined this program to ensure food security in the country. As the Chairman of the Livestock Development Board, I am happy about this.”

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