Army constitute Corps of Agriculture and Livestock to meet President’s manifesto tasks

The Sri Lanka Army, formed a new unit called Corps of Agriculture and Livestock yesterday under the Army's Directorate of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) making headway in its nation-building tasks, to be in line with HE the President's 'Sawubhagye Dekma' (Vistas of Splendour & Prosperity) policy statement, Army said. 

The formal raising orders for its establishment was signed by General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army and Head of the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO).

The DAL in the Army while maximizing the use of Army lands for agricultural and dairy purposes has been engaged in the production of paddy, vegetables, eggs and several varieties of essentials to the Army through its Kandakadu, Menik Farm, Vellamkulum, Galkanda, Palatupana, Adiyapuliyankulam, Balalla and Niraviya farms, Army said. 

At present, DAL troops have embarked on cultivation of paddy under 'Thuru Mithuru-Nawa Ratak' project, 1,000 acres of coconuts, 500 acres of TEJC mangoes, 2000 acres of cashew, 200 acres of chillies, production of yoghurt, curd and eggs with 100,000 layer hens, ration packs using local raw materials, salt, tomato sauce, and compost fertilizer and also cultivation of 100,000 turmeric saplings, etc.