Treasury support for soya and maize farmers
View(s):Treasury support has been assured to Sri Lankan farmers to create a sustainable purchasing system connecting them directly to relevant industries that require their produce. This promise was made by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake when he recently met a group of maize and soya bean farmer representatives of Mahaweli H Zone in Huruluwewa in the Anuradhapura district. Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayaka and Rural Economic Affairs Minister P. Harison were also present, according to a media release issued by the ministry.
Farmer representatives were assured that the government would make the relevant intervention through the Paddy Marketing Board and the Food Promotion Board to arrive at a direct purchasing mechanism by the Ministry of Health to purchase soya bean from the Mahaweli H Zone farmers for the production of Triposa. It was also decided to present a joint Cabinet proposal along with the Health Ministry to reach a tripartite agreement with the latter ministry for the direct purchase of soya bean from the farmers in the Mahaweli H Zone. At present the annual production of soya bean is little over 8000 metric tons while the Health Ministry’s requirement to manufacture Thriposa is 5000 tons. Minister Karunanayake also emphasised the need to shift from protectionism of agricultural produce to a competitive market environment which is more profitable.