The Sri Lankan government is planning to set up the country's first Special Agricultural Zones (SAZs) next year in the post-war eastern province, Xinhua news agency reported.

The zones covering 3,000 acres will be set up in three districts in the province to promote integrated development in the agriculture sector.

Infrastructure in the province will be expanded further to benefit the farming community which constitutes 80 percent of the population in the eastern province.

Facilities including roads, markets, food processing factories and irrigation schemes will be developed in the zones.

The government said the zones' concept is to safeguard quality of agricultural production, bring into play advantages of local industry, adjust structures of production and marketing and increase efficiency and benefit of businesses.

The SAZs are expected to attract local and foreign investors and create new jobs and businesses and opportunities for farmers.
(Bernama)