Food production has to be prioritised- Minister Maithripala Sirisena

Mahaweli Systems correspondent

Farmers of this country gave up agricultural activities, for they could not make a profit from agricultural produce, said the minister holding the portfolio of promoting agricultural work of the island.

The minister added: 'That is why the present government is trying to adopt policies favourable. For the farmers in terms of having a good profit.'

Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Services Maithripala Sirisena, addressing a gathering of farmers in Sevaagama, Polonnaruwa recently went on to say that food production has to be prioritised because food importation is gradually becoming a tough task against a background of a looming food crisis on the planet earth.

He said countries that export food all over the world have decided not to earn money through bulk exportation of grains and other produce which can be used to make bio-fuel, for the reason that those things are appropriate for producing bio-fuel to replace fossil-fuel the prices of which are currently sky rocketing.

Minister Sirisena said that a food crisis is looming and every country is preparing to face it. All citizens of the country ought to contribute to 'food for all' programmes launched by the Government which wants to defeat 'hunger'.

He said that the Government has had to grapple with two issues that have come to pose strong challenges in the country 'the first is the war against terrorism and the other is the war against poverty'.

Minister Sirisena said government has affirmed its resolve to make the country - once again a major granary urging that all citizens ought to co-operate with the government in implementing programmes aimed at achieving that target.

He said this country has a historical background of producing enough food for its people, referring to the era of King Parakramabahu of Polonnaruwa.

The Minister said there are a number of malicious pieces of criticism against the Government fabricated by those who are eagerly awaiting to have higher positions without delay, he said, adding that 'truth will win one day'.

The Chairman of the Agriculture Insurance Board Mervin Gunasena also accompanied the Minister.