Sri Lanka Consolidated Acts

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Agrarian Services Act (No. 58 of 1979) - Sect 34

Standards of good management

34.
(1) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of section 33, the owner cultivator of any agric cultural land shall-
(a) carry out all such duties and obligations in respect of his agricultural land ; and
(b) fulfil all such obligations in respect of maintaining the productivity of the agricultural land of the area, tract or group of holdings within which his land is located,
(2) The owner cultivator or occupier of any agricultural land shall, in addition to such other duties as the Commissioner may in his discretion specify, ensure that-
(a) only recommended varieties and strains of crops and breeds of livestock are cultivated or reared;
(b) the manner in which the agricultural land is being cropped is such as to maintain that land clean and in a good state of cultivation and fertility and in good condition including proper drainage;
(c) irrigation water is efficiently managed;
(d) the land is properly maintained in order to ensure the maximum conservation of soil and water;
(e) the fertility of the soil is improved and maintained by the application of fertilizers or manure in adequate quantities;
(f) according to the type of agricultural operation under- taken, an efficient standard of management is maintained in the cultivation of crops or the rearing of livestock ;
(g) the necessary steps are taken to secure and maintain crops and livestock free from diseases and from infestation by insects and other pests;
(h) the necessary steps are taken for the protection and preservation of growing crops and crops harvested or in the course of being harvested;
(i) the necessary steps are taken to minimize losses in both quantity and quality of produce in the processing for market; and
(j) the maintenance and repair work is carried out wherever necessary.
(3) The owner cultivator or occupier of any agricultural land shall take the necessary steps to ensure that all his duties and obligations arising from the need for common management of land with other owner cultivators or occupiers over a given area, tract or group of agricultural holdings are properly discharged. Such duties may involve any one or all of the following: -
(a) the proper timing of agricultural operations ;
(b) the efficient management of irrigation water;
(c) joint measures for conservation of soil;
(d) water conservation and drainage ;
(e) protection against pests and diseases;
(f) any other collective responsibilities which may be prescribed by regulations under this Act for efficient land use and the improvement of agricultural productivity ; and
(g) ensuring that the prescribed period between the harvesting of any agricultural produce and the marketing thereof, is adhered to.
(4) An owner cultivator or occupier who fails to fulfil the obligations placed on him under subsections (1), (2) or (3) shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.

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