Only those people who have a genuine interest in continuously improving themselves and achieving economic growth can be assisted by the government. On the other hand, the government cannot provide any help to those who wish to remain idle and merely receive whatever the government gives them.
In this regard, Hon. Governor of Northern Province, Nagalingam Vethanayahan stated that the people of Iranai Iluppaikulam village in Mannar District deserve great appreciation for their keen interest in properly utilizing the opportunities available to them and steering their village onto a path of development.
The harvest of true seed production of big onions, initiated by the farmers of Iranai Iluppaikulam village, was inaugurated today afternoon – on Thursday, 26 March 2026, under the leadership of Mrs. R. Priyatharshini, Deputy Provincial Director of Agriculture for Mannar District. The Hon. Governor made the above remarks while delivering an address at the inauguration of the harvest.
Continuing his speech at the event, the Governor further stated:
“No development is possible without raising the livelihood of the people. We cannot achieve the true goals of development merely by building roads or constructing buildings. First and foremost, the livelihood of the people must be improved. When I visited your village last year on a field visit, it was based on the tremendous interest you showed in agriculture that a special project for true seed production of big onions was provided to you through the Department of Agriculture.
As the Agriculture Instructor mentioned, although this project was new to many farmers here, all of you have completed it very successfully with great enthusiasm. It is only to such motivated communities that we can continue to provide assistance. The tireless efforts of the farmers and the excellent sense of duty shown by the relevant officials have been the main reasons for the success of this agricultural activity.
You should not limit the marketing of your produce only to local market opportunities; you must also engage in efforts to export them to foreign countries. We are paying great attention to how the produce of our farmers can be marketed in the best possible way without the intervention of middlemen.
At present, the ‘Northern Province Exporters Association’ has been established, focusing on foreign exports. We are also in discussions with them regarding this. Since they require a continuous supply of quality agricultural products, if you can provide your produce consistently, you will be able to export your goods in collaboration with them.”
This true seed production of big onions and the agricultural wells rehabilitation project was implemented with an allocation of 10.5 million rupees under the directive of the Northern Province Governor. Under this project, 30 selected beneficiaries were provided with agricultural inputs worth Rs. 193,000 each for true seed production, and 30 agricultural wells were also rehabilitated and handed over.
It is noteworthy that under this three-month true seed production project for big onions, the seeds obtained from the production carried out on plots of six square meters each can be used in the future to cultivate big onions on approximately 30 acres of land.
Senior government officials including the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Northern Province, the District Secretary of Mannar District, the Divisional Secretary of Madhu Division, the Assistant Commissioner of Local Government for Mannar District, Agricultural Instructors, Grama Niladharis, along with the farmers, participated in the event to inaugurate the harvest.
