Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2021-12-06

Granting lands located in the Mahaweli area to the investors for commercial agriculture projects targeting National Food and Nutrition Security and Exportation

- In order to minimize the negative impact on the economy of the country due to the foreign exchange outflow through the importation of foods in the wake of the COVID - 19 pandemic situation, it has been planned to encourage investors to cultivate essential food crops domestically. Further, increasing local diary production and producing animal food domestically has been a prime objective of the ''Saubhagya National Food Production and Promotion Policy''. Accordingly, the proposal made by the Minister of Irrigation to provide lands in extent of 1750 hectares located in Mahaweli area to the selected investors on long term lease basis following the formal procedure for implementing Commercial Agriculture Projects targeting National Food and Nutrition Security and Exportation, was approved by the Cabinet.