Farmers to receive state lands for cultivation

COLOMBO (News1st) : Farmers will receive state-owned lands suitable for farming only for cultivation purposes, the agriculture ministry has said. Lands under the forest department that were previously used for farming have been identified, agriculture secretary Sumedha Perera, a retired major general said. He added that these lands would be given to farmers to commence farming from the next Maha cultivation season. Meanwhile, a survey is underway to identify lands that belong to the Mahaweli Authority, Department of Irrigation, State Plantations Corporation, and estate companies, that would support farming. Agriculture Research Officers, Agriculture Development Officers, and Residential Managers are currently involved in the survey. Lands that are identified through the survey would be given to farmers only for cultivation activities, according to the ministry secretary. He said that crops such as corn, durian, guava, and mango are expected to be cultivated on these lands eyeing the export market.