150 farmers honoured in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Thursday, 21 October 2004, 17:07 GMT]
Northeast Provincial Department of Agriculture Thursday honoured 150 best farmers in the Trincomalee district at an event especially held at Divisional Agriculture Extension Office, which is located in Chelvanayakapuram settlement about three km off east port town. The event was organized by the Trincomalee District Department of Agriculture and sponsored by the Innovative Pesticide Marketing (PVT) Ltd. (IPMP).

Among the 150 best farmers selected from 22 agricultural divisions in the district, eleven are women. Of them one is Muslim, four Tamils and six Sinhalese, sources said.

Best farmers were selected under five categories, paddy cultivation, cash crop cultivation, vegetable production, fruit cultivation and other activities such as self-seed producing, the sources said.

One of the 150 best farmers is seen lighting the traditional oil lamp while other best farmers are seated in the hall.

(L-R) Mr.Sivakumar,Assistant Director of Agriculture, Dr.Gnanachelvam, Provincial Director Agriculture and Trincomalee District Deputy Director of Lands Mr.Thilakaretna.

Provincial Director of Agriculture Dr.S.Gnanachelvan was the chief guest. Other guests were Mr.A.Satkunanathan; Marketing Executive of the IPMP and District Deputy Land Commissioner Mr.Thilakaratna represented the Government Agent.

The introductory speech was made by Mr.S.Sivakumar, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Extension).

Selected from the 150 best farmers in each field shared their experience with the audience after being honoured. The guests presented the best farmers with certificates and cash prize, the sources said.