A welcome move

Development activities in the North and East are continuing apace. However, in order to ensure development programs reach their desired targets, the Government needs all the support it could muster both locally and through international agencies.It can't allow prejudices to get in the way in this regard. For, the task before it is too enormous to consider such trivia.

In this regard the involvement of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to assist in the livelihood development in the North and East is to be appreciated.It is only such collective efforts that could assist in the acceleration of the normalization process. There is no denying that the UN has provided us with huge assistance in diverse fields affecting the peoples' well-being and welfare. Its nutrition programs, involvement in the eradication of malnutrition, disease and in the area of poverty alleviation, the micro loan schemes to develop livelihoods in the rural sector and food assistance are only too well known. UN assistance is therefore vital at this stage when a gigantic rebuilding process is underway in the war ravaged areas.

Visiting UNIDO Chief Dr Kandeh Yumkella has expressed his satisfaction over the reconstruction process in the North and East. UNIDO has already commenced work last year to support farmer societies in supplying tractors and machinery to increase the productivity and quality in paddy cultivation. It goes without saying agriculture will form the cornerstone of the Northern economy and its revival is of paramount importance. As it is well known agriculture formed the backbone of economy of the North and East in the past and accounted for the bulk of the rice production in the pre war era. Therefore, the overall effect of the revival of the Northern agriculture sector cannot be overemphasized.

It could also have a binding affect on the integration process now taking place. For nothing unites people more forcefully culturally than agricultural ties as our own history has shown.

The farmer of the North as with the Northerner in general was also known for their industry and enterprise which brought them rich dividends. Alas the war changed all this! putting paid to the industrious endevours of the Jaffna farmer and reducing him to penury. Today the Northern farmer has become enfeebled by the experience of war and without means or the resources to commence his livelihood. His lands too are destroyed and it would take a lot of work and moral strength to get him to take to the plough once again. It is therefore necessary that the Northern farmer be given all the strength and wherewithal to get him back on his feet.

As mentioned, the war has destroyed all cultivations and laid waste the once rich and fertile paddy lands of the North. The ground work has to be prepared for the agricultural sector to get moving immediately. It is therefore fitting that the farmers are to be given a leg up to restart and develop their livelihood and make the North and East once more a bustling agriculture hub. It is also appropriate that the farmers will be supported and monitored by the respective chambers in the region.This is because these farmers who are still affected by the ghosts of the war will need proper guidance and support to re-acquaint themselves with their livelihood. Also most of these farmers may now be old and feeble and those who might take to the plough from the new generation will need training and assistance to restart their livelihood. Besides they will not be familiar with the latest techniques in farming and will need guidance in this regard.

It is not only paddy cultivation, the Northern agriculture sector needs revival as a whole. Jaffna was once famous for its varieties of fruit and vegetables which the people in the South enjoyed with relish. Attention should be paid to restart cultivation of vegetables and fruits on large scale so that the country as a whole could enjoy the rich harvests of the Northern farmer. According to reports, steps are also underway to set up fruit canning factories in the North. This would provide the ideal impetus for fruit cultivation and a source of income to the farmer.Besides it could provide employment to the youth which had no vocation during the war years.

In this context the assistance provided by agencies such as UNIDO should be welcomed and appreciated. It is hoped that others too would follow suit and strive to benefit the people of the North and East in real terms rather than diverting their energies into other pursuits, such as faulting the Government on unfounded charges.