One M domestic units:

Govt aims economically strong families

Rasika SOMARATHNA

The setting up of one million domestic economic units, a key component of the Divi Neguma program aims to create economically strong and independent individuals and families among other objectives, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said yesterday. “This in turn would contribute positively to the country’s overall economic and social development,” he added addressing State officials involved in the country’s coconut cultivation and development.

The Minister was speaking at an awareness program for the officers who would be involved in the setting up of one million domestic economic units initiative as one of its major stakeholders. The officials in turn are slated to train grassroot level coordinators of the one million domestic units program on methods of coconut cultivation and preservation.

Minister Rajapaksa addressing officials identified coconut cultivation as one of the key components of the domestic home garden concept as coconut was as important as rice.

He said that if coconut cultivation could be promoted successfully as one of the key components in the home garden concept, Sri Lanka would be able to meet its domestic requirement of 2,000 million nuts per annum from the above program alone.

Describing the ‘Divi Neguma’ program to officers, the Minister said that this was an extension of the ‘Gama Neguma’ program intended at rural and domestic development.

In the one million domestic unit initiative, Samurdhi Officers, Agricultural Service Officers, Grama Niladharis and Family Health Officers will be the coordinators at grass roots level.

They would be trained by experts in all identified fields. The program will be implemented islandwide in all the Grama Niladhari divisions (100 units for each GND) and is expected to strengthen agricultural, fishery, livestock development, milk production, cultivation of additional food crops, self-employment, export agricultural crops, home gardening and other economic oriented activities.

Ministries involved in the above sectors would be some of the major stakeholders.

In addition to strengthening the domestic economy, optimum usage of land availability and other resources, improving the cottage industry etc. the program also aims at improving the nutritional standards of the people.

Minister Rajapaksa said yesterday that the program has been created in line with the objectives of the Mahinda Chinthana to develop the family, to lead to the development of the village and thereby to develop the country.

Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Minister Jagath Pushpakumara also addressed the gathering along with Ministry Secretary Anura Siriwardene.

Ministers S M Chandrasena and Athauda Seneviratne were present.