Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2024-01-01 (Subject to Confirmation at the next Meeting)

Agriculture Sector Modernization Programme

- The need to increase the manufacturing productivity of the country by efficiently and effectively utilizing the underutilized resources in Sri Lanka's agriculture has been identified. Accordingly, the agricultural sector needs to be modernized rapidly in order to achieve the objectives of increasing the income and productivity of farmers, regulating the market, increasing the export‑oriented products, creating agro entrepreneurs by attracting the youth community towards the agriculture and using information technology for the agricultural sector. The Cabinet granted its concurrence for the following steps proposed by the Hon. President in relation to the implementation of the Agricultural Sector Modernization Programme.

* Preparation of a National Policy Framework with the participation of experts in the field to get the contribution of the agricultural sector in the role of building a developed Sri Lanka by the year 2048.

* Establishment of an Agriculture Sector Modernization Secretariat under the Presidential Secretariat.

* Establishment of "Agricultural Sector Modernization Services and Knowledge Hubs" at the Divisional Secretariat level enabling to implement agricultural sector modernization services effectively and sustainably as well as in a well-coordinated manner.

* Making amendments to the Agrarian Development Act including other legal amendments to implement the proposed programme.