The Hon. Rohana Bandara

¶ 01 Farmers’ Pension Scheme: Details

¶ 02 77/2024

¶ 03 Question to the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation:

¶ 04 (a) (i) What is the purpose of establishing the Farmers’ Pension Scheme? (ii) What benefits are received under the Scheme at present? (iii) What measures will be adopted to further promote the Scheme?

¶ 05 (b) (i) What are the funding sources of the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board? (ii) What measures will be taken to make the Board more efficient?

¶ 06 (c) If not, why?

¶ 07 Before my first supplementary, I congratulate the newly elected Speaker and wish you strength to act impartially and protect the dignity of all Members while upholding the dignity of the Chair.

¶ 08 My first supplementary is this. Hon. Deputy Minister, we have all spoken of ensuring livelihoods for farmers after retirement. The pressing problem—often raised by you as well—is that before retirement, farmers’ livelihoods are in jeopardy. The season has begun long ago; many fields are now about six weeks old. While the Government pays public servants and pensioners on time, the fertilizer subsidy for farmers is still not being delivered effectively. It varies place to place and is delayed. Why are you delaying this? Will you ensure payment of the full fertilizer subsidy within the next few days?