Agricultural Census Begins in Colombo District

The Agricultural Census has commenced in Colombo District, with field activities beginning today across 13 Divisional Secretariat Divisions covering 557 Grama Niladhari divisions.

The census programme in Colombo District will be conducted from today until December 15, as part of the nationwide agricultural census being implemented by the Department of Census and Statistics.

The district-level inauguration ceremony was held today in Kirulapone, marking the commencement of field activities across the district.

Officials who addressed the inaugural programme included Manju Sri Perera, Head of the Colombo District Census Division and Deputy Director; K.M.D.S.D. Karunaratne, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics; K.N. Kaushalya Kumari, Additional District Secretary and Acting District Secretary; and Sugath Siri Kumara, Divisional Secretary.

The nationwide census programme is being conducted from October 1 to December 15, with an estimated expenditure of Rs. 12 billion. The Colombo District component commenced today.

The census will collect information on several areas related to agriculture, including:

• Agricultural land and agricultural holdings

• Persons engaged in agricultural activities

• Land use and ownership

• Cultivation of different crops

• Livestock management

• Aquaculture

• Use of fertilisers and pesticides

• Agricultural machinery and ownership of such machinery

The information collected through the census is expected to provide data on the country’s agricultural sector and its activities.