09th July 2022 16:43:28 Hours
Mechanized Infantry Regiment (MIR) troops in line with the government’s food security programme and the Army’s Green Agriculture project began to till a patch of abandoned paddy fields, situated adjacent to the MIR Regimental Centre at Dambuluhalmillewa, Dambulla.
The inauguration of the project covering nearly 5 acres of abandoned paddy fields got to a start by cultivating cowpea as a seasonal crop as the initial step of the cultivation project on 3 July 2022.
The project was organized under the directions of Major General Channa Weerasuriya, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army and Colonel of the Regiment, Mechanized Infantry Regiment who joined the inaugural ceremony as the Chief Guest. Upon his arrival there, he was received by Brigadier Kavinda Balasooriya, Commander, Mechanized Infantry Brigade and Brigadier Anura Abeysinghe, Centre Commandant at Mechanized Infantry Regimental HQ.
During the event, the Deputy Chief of Staff had interactions with land owners and villagers and briefed them on the Army's commitment and how the Army could join hands with the agricultural sector to reach national goals and multiply food production process through immediate cultivation of abandoned paddy fields and unattended lands where owners or farmers are unable to do cultivations.
Staff Officers and Other Ranks of the Mechanized Infantry Regimental Centre also enthusiastically took part in the day’s event.
