During this program, 100,000 acres of abandoned paddy fields will be re-cultivated and the initiative will be taken island wide under 'Api Wawamu – Rata Nagamu' programme under President’s political manifesto, Mahinda Chinthana.

According to Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Ministry sources the decision to introduce a national programme to cultivate abandoned and deserted paddy land was based on the progress they have made in the National campaign commenced in 2007 to bolster the cultivation of food crops in the country. The cultivation programme commenced in 2007.