Wednesday, 1 September 2004  
The widest coverage in Sri Lanka.
Editorial
News

Business

Features

Security

Politics

World

Letters

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

Mihintalava - The Birthplace of Sri Lankan Buddhist Civilization

Government - Gazette

Silumina  on-line Edition

Sunday Observer

Budusarana On-line Edition





Please forward your comments to the Editor, Daily News.
Email : [email protected]
Snail mail : Daily News, 35, D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Telephone : 94 11 2429429 / 94 11 2421181
Fax : 94 11 2429210

Brave handling of drought crisis

The Government - initiated drought relief effort has entered a qualitatively new phase with President Kumaratunga directing that all drought victim families whose monthly income does not exceed Rs. 3,000 be provided drought assistance and sustenance.

This measure could be considered a first in the history of drought relief operations in this country because successive governments in the past had extended material relief of this kind to only those whose harvests had failed during both the Yala and Maha seasons.

In consideration of the severity of the drought this time round, the Government under the direction of the President had decided to break with this practice and go to the rescue of the affected persons as quickly as possible with substantial relief assistance.

There is, therefore, timely recognition on the part of the President and the Government of the magnitude of the humanitarian crisis in the drought - hit districts. While it goes without saying that governments couldn't be blamed for the painful vagaries of the weather, there is no running away from the fact that governments cannot dilly-dally when weather-induced tragedies take their toll.

President Kumaratunga's directives in these circumstances help single out her administration as one that rises bravely to emergencies. It speaks volumes for the caring nature of the President that she should leave no stone unturned in her effort to help the needy in the drought-affected areas of the country.

What is left to be done now is to ensure that the relief operation gets into top gear and proceeds smoothly. The respective District Secretaries need to ensure that the personnel charged with providing the relief are constantly at their posts and are doing what is expected of them.

The necessary follow-up action needs to be taken by District Secretaries and their staff to ensure that none of the drought-affected are denied the relevant assistance. These officers need to be constantly in the field to bring about the necessary empowerment of these victims of the drought.

The ideal shouldn't be to only provide relief to the affected persons but to ensure that they are self-sustaining and independent. In terms of this vision we consider it fair that a member of the recipient families is called upon to dispense some labour in government-sponsored projects in return for the assistance provided to them.

It is a measure that could generate in the relevant persons a deep sense of responsibility towards the State and consequently strengthen their resourcefulness and independence.

Another positive feature of the drought relief effort is its extension to all areas of the land, including parts of the North-East. This too speaks volumes for President Kumaratunga's impartiality and her deep caring for the Tamil community.

This is further proof that the Tamil community is safe in a governing system, headed by President Kumaratunga. The fact that no communal riots have occurred since 1994, substantiates this point.

Agriculture banks

Sri Lanka is primarily an agricultural nation, with nearly 70 per cent of the population directly or indirectly involved in agriculture. In fact, the majority of the rural masses are engaged in crop cultivation, mainly paddy.

One of the main obstacles faced by farmers is the lack of working capital. Production costs are high and farmers who do not opt for modern techniques to maximise their output risk losing heavily at the time of harvesting. These modern methods are time-saving, less labour intensive and less costly in the long run.

This is why it is essential to provide them with funds to buy equipment such as tractors and other material such as fertiliser. Most banks, especially the two State banks, provide loans to farmers but these are not tailor made for the agricultural community.

The Agriculture Ministry has identified the need for a specialised loan scheme targeting the farmers. It is now exploring the possibility of streamlining operations at Agriculture Banks throughout the country for the speedy disbursement of loans to farmers.

The Ministry has already identified 100 Agriculture Banks for immediate upgrading in pre-dominantly agricultural areas.

These banks should collaborate closely with rural/cooperative banks, Agrarian Services Centres and Agricultural Extension Officers to provide an efficient service to the farming community. The Officers can identify farmers who have the potential to meet or exceed their targets and suggest suitable loan packages.

Local agriculture authorities should take a leaf from the Thai Farmers Bank, which has now evolved into a fully-fledged bank offering all commercial banking services to the general public.

In addition to the disbursement of financial assistance, agriculture authorities should expand the provision of seeds and agricultural equipment to farmers at concessionary rates. The ongoing tank renovation program will also help farmers to irrigate more lands.

A proper purchasing and marketing network is also vital to ensure that farmers are adequately compensated for their efforts. The Government has stepped into paddy purchasing with a guaranteed price scheme, liberating the farmer from the clutches of the middleman.

The authorities must also ensure proper storage facilities for paddy as well as other crops, especially seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Such extra stocks can be released to the market when a shortage occurs, saving the consumer from arbitrary price hikes imposed by unscrupulous traders. Local and international processed foods (ex: jams, cordials, canned fruits/vegetables) manufacturers must also be involved in this exercise.

Farmers are a national treasure. They must be given all facilities and incentives to perform their noble task.

www.crescat.com

www.ceylincoproperties.com

www.singersl.com

www.imarketspace.com

www.Pathmaconstruction.com

www.peaceinsrilanka.org

www.helpheroes.lk


News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries


Produced by Lake House
Copyright © 2003 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager


Hosted by Lanka Com Services