Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2017-10-24

Proclamation of the year 2018 as the 'Food Production Year'

- The 'National Food Production Programme - 2016 - 2018' was initiated targeting food security and sustainable cultivation and focus was laid on the manufacture of every essential food item which could be produced locally since Sri Lanka has to spend foreign currency exceeding Rs.200 billion annually for the importation of essential food items. However, the food production process in the country has faced a severe drawback due to the adverse weather conditions that prevailed during the past cultivation seasons and with a view to averting this situation and carrying out food production activities with a new vigour, the week for 'National Food Production Drive' was initiated recently.

By this, it is anticipated to achieve through a collective approach, the provision of remedies for the issues faced by the agriculture sector and the policy and technical guidance required for same, regaining our receding pride in agriculture and achieveing a sustainable agricultural development by rescuing the farmers from the difficult situations they are confronted with and making them the pioneers of the development of this country. Accordingly, the Cabinet took note of the information furnished by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, that action is being taken to direct the National Food Production Drive in collaboration with the Public Sector, Private Sector and Non‑Governmental Organizations as Stakeholders and to declare the year 2018 as the 'Food Production Year', giving priority to the formulation of policies and plans, in this regard.