President Ranil Wickremesinghe inaugurated a groundnut processing centre in Karadiyanaru, Eastern Sri Lanka on Sunday.
The groundnut processing centre was constructed at a cost of Rs. 55 million under the agricultural modernization program of the Ministry of Agriculture.
At the inauguration, the President emphasized his commitment to revitalizing the country’s economy while highlighting transformative changes in the lives of farmers.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed that there is a large amount of uncultivated land in Sri Lanka that should be utilized for cultivation.
“Our agriculture needs a transition into an export-oriented sector, focusing on exporting agricultural crops not only to meet our own food needs but also to cater to the needs of other countries. This approach will enable us to earn significant foreign exchange, reducing our reliance on foreign loans,” he said.
An agricultural modernization program is to be launched across the country, with the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with Provincial Ministries of Agriculture, implementing this initiative intending to transform all agricultural service centres into modernization hubs by next year.
The President said this progressive step aims to enhance farmers’ incomes and foster rural development across the country.
He further said that the government has also planned a comprehensive program for the Batticaloa district, focusing on improving agricultural activities in areas including Mahaweli A and B zones.
The President added that this initiative is set to bring about complete agricultural development in the area. (Newswire)