Better storage for perishables
Rohan Mathes
COLOMBO: Expressing concern over the failure to rectify the
long-standing 'Post Harvest losses', which has resulted in price hikes
of some perishable goods, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed the
Consumer Services Ministry Officials to explore the possibility of
having a more sophisticated storage system for fruits and vegetables.
Meeting top-level officials representing the ministries of
Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services, Trade, Marketing Consumer
Services and Co-operatives, Petroleum Resources and Power and Energy, at
the National Economic Council (NEC) established to pursue the proper
implementation of policies for a sustainable development, President
Rajapaksa at the NEC's tenth session at Temple Trees on Tuesday (19),
said that perishable goods such as onions and potatoes were skyrocketing
in price due lack of proper storage facilities
President Rajapaksa also pursued the reasons for the fall in
production of certain agricultural produce. Census and Statistics
Director General S. Vidyarathna pointed out that the drop was only in
the paddy harvest in Batticaloa and not in the other districts. However,
Finance Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera was of the view that the harvest
had dropped due to the direct impact of adverse climatic conditions such
as the drought.
He underscored the necessity of formulating definite targets in the
future. "Sans definite targets, the agricultural sector is destined to
lag behind the services and construction sectors which have rapid growth
rates," Dr. Jayasundera said.Responding to Consumer Services Secretary
R.M.K. Rathnayake's view pertaining to the considerable price parity
between the Budget Shop, Lak Sathosa and Cooperative outlets and the
other private retail outlets, President Rajapaksa directed the relevant
officials to obtain the optimum use of the available print and
electronic media facilities, in order to convey the 'reduced prices'
message to the consuming public.
The issues relating to the most suitable crop for the regions,
including maize cultivation coming under the 'Hadhabima Authority',
'Drip Irrigation Technology' incorporating solar energy and the use of
organic fertiliser, came under intense discussion.
Power and Energy Ministry Secretary M.M.C. Ferdinando opined that as
it now stands, there would not be a necessity for a power cut. He also
pointed out the need of a National Power and Energy Research Institute.
The Petroleum Resources Ministry Secretary A.P.A. Gunasekera asserted
that following discussions with Prime Minister Rathasiri Wickramanayake,
the intended petroleum price hike was halted. The production of
lubricants and provision of bunkering to ships was also considered.
Gunasekera further said that his ministry would obtain the services
of already identified Sri Lankans serving overseas and possessed
knowledge of oil exploration. He added that they were in the process of
implementing the 2005 Auditor General's recommendations.
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