28th January 2022 19:46:34 Hours
In order to ensure and implement a proper and solid mechanism for coordination of all organic fertilizer production and distribution processes, one more review meeting session with principal decision-makers at state level was held Tuesday (25) at the Green Agriculture Operation Center (GAOC) in Rajagiriya, chaired by General Shavendra Silva, Head, GAOC, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army.
Messrs D.M.L.D Bandaranayake, Secretary to Ministry of Agriculture, M.N Ranasinghe, Secretary to the State Ministry for Green Agriculture, Mahesh Gammanpila, Additional Secretary to the State Ministry of Green Agriculture, Dr S.H.S Ajantha De Silva, Director General Agriculture, A.H.M.L Abeyrathna, Commissioner General of Agrarian Development, Chandana Lokuhewage, Director, National Fertilizer Secretariat, Major General Indu Samarakoon, Chief Supervisor for Army Coordination and Logistic Commander, Major (Retd) Vijitha Welikala, Chairman, Presidential Task Force for Green Agriculture and several other representatives were associated with the day's meeting.
The gathering critically analyzed the comprehensive solution process at district level as proposed by some bio and organic resource suppliers and reviewed the road map that targets the forthcoming 'Yala' season and discussed how best such coordination could be made available since award of tenders for bio and organic fertilizer have already been published and is in process. "That was a main setback we faced at first, and now it has been done. Thanks to Dr S.H.S Ajantha De Silva, Director General Agriculture, the formulation of guidelines for application of fertilizer and identification of potential bio and organic fertilizer suppliers with total solution for each district are also being streamlined and processed for required coordinating efforts of the Army," General Shavendra Silva said.
"To reach the targeted Yala season as we discussed in previous GAOC meetings, it is imperative to educate district-level agricultural and agrarian officers and all coordinators on the 'Yala' season, agricultural guidelines and related practical issues at ground level too, through which a better and well-structured contribution towards the road map for Yala 2022 and onwards can be expected. District-based Directors and related authorities could in this way address and educate ground level participants in the task," the Chair added.
"HE the President also expects subject experts in the tri services to brief necessary contributors at ground level for quality and necessary standards of the production process. We will continue in that manner as nothing is impossible. In order to ascertain where we stand now, a field survey is being done now, aiming to monitor the process in the ongoing Maha season. Ground realities are needed to be assessed closely as some Media project the task as impossible. Through such initiatives, we could gain a broader and clearer picture of ground realities which would in turn help our coordinating preparations for the Yala season," he pointed out.
The meeting also extensively discussed existing irrigation systems and different zonal ones, soil conditions of respective regions, needs for cultivations and formulas that could be practically adopted, ahead of the start of the Yala season in achieving desired targets. Attendees were also optimistic that the road map laid down for the purpose could be implemented with commitment and dedication of all relative quarters, engaged in agriculture.
Brigadier Chandana Arangalla, Coordinator at GAOC briefed the meeting on some district-level solutions, submitted by bio and organic suppliers to the Fertilizer Secretariat.
