A large number of farmer organizations in the major agricultural districts yesterday welcomed the decision taken by the Essential Services Commissioner General to provide them with a constant supply of fuel for their agricultural equipment from the beginning of the current ‘Yala’ season.
Essential Services Commissioner General K.D.S. Ruwan Chandra said the decision was taken after a careful study of the difficulties faced by farmer communities who say that they cannot proceed with their paddy cultivation without using agricultural equipment.
Ruwan Chandra said that the fuel distribution for farmers will be carried out in a transparent manner with instructions given by district secretaries in the respective agricultural areas.
He said the grama niladaris will assist district secretariats in this regard.
Farmers in Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Mahaweli B Zone, Sevanagala, Welikanda, Giritale, Nuwara Eliya, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa and Welimada had abandoned large paddy cultivation lands during the last Maha season owing to lack of fuel to operate their equipment.
Farmer organizations request the authorities at the Essential Services Commissioner General’s office to expedite fuel distribution as the preparation of paddy lands has already begun.
Farmer organizations also request the Government to provide them with necessary chemical fertilizer and weedicides and pesticides as early as possible.
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