Sri Lanka secures $3.5 mn from Japan for farm equipment

June 13, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has inked a 468 million rupee (3.5 million dollar) grant with the Japanese government to buy equipment to secure the island’s food security, a statement said. Under the 380 million Yen programme, Sri Lanka has secured funds to buy 946 tractors that will be distributed among farmers working in the island’s north on two seed farms.

The tractors consist of 896 two-wheel tractors and 50 four-wheel tractors, the Japanese embassy in Colombo said.

Japan, one of Sri Lanka’s largest donors, celebrates 60-years of diplomatic relations the Indian Ocean Island this year.

In 2010, Japan extended 157 million rupee facility, to help Sri Lanka improve to state-run seed farms in Murunkan and Paranthan. The funds were also used to provide equipment to needy farmers.

Farmers need quality seeds, equipment and machinery for improving productivity and sustaining their livelihoods, the statement said.

The people and the government of Japan hope that the assistance provided will be effectively used for improving agriculture activities in the country and to uplift the living conditions of the people, it added.