Govt. taking steps to avoid food crisis - Minister

Rohan MATHES in Bandaragama

Agriculture and Agrarian Services Minister Maithreepala Sirisena observed that while eradicating terrorism in all its manifestations, the second battle in the kitchen too, would be defeated simultaneously, in the near future.

Minister Sirisena made this observation when he addressed a ceremony to mark the launch of the national campaign to motivate 'Domestic Food Production, 2007-2010', on the theme "Let us Cultivate and Uplift the Nation", at the Bolabotuwa abandoned paddy tract of Kamburagoda in Bandaragama yesterday.

The national ceremony also marked the inauguration of the 'Re-cultivation of Abandoned Paddy Lands (Fallow Lands) Islandwide', as envisioned in the Mahinda Chintanaya.

"We, a nation of around two million people, should take all measures to avert a food crisis and not drift into a situation where even a single citizen of this country would face starvation. The UN Secretary General too has lauded our agricultural programme and strategy in confronting the envisaged global food crisis, by urging other developing countries to emulate Sri Lanka's agro policies," he said. Minister Sirisena said as envisioned in the Mahinda Chintanaya and with the full guidance and blessings of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, his ministry has embarked on an 'Organic Farming' process, as a long-term strategy in agriculture where the dependency on chemical fertiliser would be minimised soon.

More and more impetus would be given to 'Home Gardening'.Paddy cultivation has increased by 15 per cent within the last year. A total of 50,000 hectares of new paddy lands have come under cultivation.

There has been significant increases in the Maize (Bada Iringu) and Ginger harvests, requiring nil imports as in the past, Minister Sirisena said.

Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara, Western Province Chief Minister Reginald Cooray, Western Province Agriculture Minister Hector Bethmage and SLTB Chairman Tudor Jayarathna also addressed the ceremony.