The Agriculture Ministry has taken steps to launch several programs in line with the National Farmers' Week 2014 scheduled to be held in the Telijjawila Agriculture Training Centre,  Matara from September 9 to 14.

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane said the ministry has lined up several programmes to mark Farmers' Week and as a result all abandoned lands will be cultivated by introducing suitable crops.

The Minister also said in all 16 divisional secretariats in the Matara district home garden competitions will be conducted  together with a program to promote chemical free food and organic agriculture products among farmers as well as the consumers.

He also pointed out that the government has allocated Rs.60 million for the program through which farming community would be granted number of benefits during the said week.