In order to uplift the livelihoods of farmers in the Mannar District, an input distribution event under the Provincial Specified Development Grant was held on Friday, 26.09.2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Mannar District Agricultural Training Centre, Uyilankulam, under the leadership of the Deputy Director of Agriculture for Mannar District, Mrs. Priyatharsini Ramanendran.
The District Secretary of Mannar, Mr. K. Kanakeswaran, participated as the Chief Guest, while the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Northern Province, Mr. S. Sivasri, and the Provincial Director of Agriculture, Mrs. S. Senthilkumaran, attended as Special Guests. In addition, the Additional District Secretary (Lands), Deputy Director of Planning, Deputy Director of Livestock Production and Health, Assistant Commissioner of Co-operative Development and Co-operative Insurance Board, Assistant Director of the Seed and Planting Material Development Centre, other officials of the Department of Agriculture, and a large number of farmers participated in the event.
In her welcome address, Deputy Director of Agriculture, Mrs. Priyatharsini Ramanendran, warmly welcomed the guests and explained the activities of the department and the projects implemented under the Provincial Specified Development Grant. She also urged farmers to implement projects while adapting to climate change in order to improve their living standards.
Speaking at the event, Provincial Director of Agriculture, Mrs. S. Senthilkumaran, pointed out that although Mannar District is one of the most productive districts in paddy cultivation, the production of seed paddy remains very low. Therefore, she urged farmers to utilize the available resources and actively engage in certified seed paddy production.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Northern Province, Mr. S. Sivasri, highlighted that while Mannar District records surplus production in paddy, minor millets, and groundnut, it lags behind in upland crop cultivation, which needs to be improved. He further encouraged farmers to adopt new methods in agriculture with the support of the Department of Agriculture to achieve maximum yield.
The District Secretary of Mannar, Mr. K. Kanakeswaran, in his address, stated that farmers face certain losses due to the lack of planned agricultural activities. Therefore, he emphasized the importance of engaging in planned cultivation and also urged farmers to make use of crop insurance schemes and agricultural loan facilities. He further requested farmers to continue utilizing the inputs provided under these projects, which would help them improve their livelihoods, advance agriculture in the district, and contribute to the overall development of the Northern Province.
The event concluded successfully with the distribution of inputs to paddy farmers, other field crop cultivation , fruit growers, home gardeners, and value-added producers, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by the Manager of the District Agricultural Training Centre.
