A boost for agriculture

Agriculture is the foundation of our life and culture. Sri Lanka was known in the ancient times as the Granary of the East for one simple reason - it was overflowing with an abundance of agricultural products.

Our ancient kings built irrigation schemes and tanks which still amaze present day engineers. Most of them function to this day, providing water to sprawling paddy lands. The term Rice is Life is not a mere slogan - it is true in this country.

It is our farmers who literally keep the Nation going. Around 70 percent of the country's population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture. Such is its importance for our social well- being and economic growth. The present Government has taken a number of steps to assist the farmers. Perhaps the most significant among them is the fertilizer subsidy. Farmers have used this facility to the maximum and produced record harvests over the last few years. Many other facilities are extended to the farmers.

But most of our farmers still use archaic methods for propagation, cultivation and harvesting. They must be equipped with modern methods and equipment to bolster the yield, regardless of the crop(s). Although most farmers have realized the need for modern machinery such as tractors and harvesters, their high cost has kept the farmers away. This is about to change thanks to another new initiative of the Government.

The Government-owned State Trading Corporation (STC) and CIC Agri Business have just signed an agreement to sell agri machinery and equipment to farmers at concessionary rates. This is a positive development that will help the farmer community to reach higher levels of productivity. We also hope the State and private banks would come forward to finance purchases under this laudable scheme. The availability of credit is essential for the agri community to realize their full potential.

Agricultural activities in the Northern and Eastern provinces, disrupted by the conflict for around 30 years, are being revived after they were liberated from LTTE terrorists. The opening of road links such as the A9 will facilitate the transport of agricultural produce from the two provinces. The farmers in these areas are well known for their resourcefulness and perseverance in spite of harsh weather conditions. The

Eastern Province is already making a positive contribution to the agricultural input under the Eastern Resurgence program. Once Northern rehabilitation is completed, the North too will join in the agricultural revolution under the Northern Spring program. After all, Mannar in the North was once hailed as the country's Rice Bowl. It is thus essential that the new concessionary scheme is extended to farmers in the North and the East, while renovating irrigation facilities.

Another component of this scheme is the granting of free agricultural insurance policies to cultivators. This is still a novel concept for most farmers, who are usually 'resigned to their fate' in case their crop is affected by a natural disaster or a disease. This will enable them to recover any losses arising from such instances.

Agricultural research is another important factor. The country has separate research institutes for rice, tea, coconut and rubber and they have made several vital breakthroughs. Our universities too must be closely involved in this field. The development of disease resistant, high yielding crop varieties will complement the use of modern equipment.

More attention should be focused on crops other than paddy and the three export crops. It was reported recently that 80 per cent of the maize crop demand is already being met locally. The export market is beckoning for maize and several other crops. Vegetable and fruit growers too should be given more incentives and concessions to increase their productivity.

The authorities should also focus on reducing post-harvest losses. At least 40 percent of the harvests go waste in transport and storage owing to the lack of proper facilities. This is a massive loss to the economy. Methods should be devised to minimize such losses and also to ensure the availability of 'seasonal' vegetables and fruits throughout the year at affordable rates.

There is potential for canning such items for the local and export markets. Moreover, cheap imports should not be allowed in when there is a surplus of any locally produced food item.

The Government's Api Wawamu-Rata Nagamu program (Let Us Develop Agriculture to Build the Nation) is on the correct track. All stakeholders should support this program to the fullest possible extent.

The greater involvement of private sector investors, as demonstrated by the CTC-CIC agreement, augurs well for the agri sector. There should be more such joint efforts to boost agriculture around the country.