Paddy cultivation:

Solid base for economic growth

Dr Mathu H Liyanage

It is encouraging news to hear that 247,700 acres have been brought under paddy cultivation in the Northern Province and the yield is expected at be about 254,641 metric tons this year, according to the NP Agricultural Ministry.

Besides, yet another 108,000 acres of land under the High Security Zone have been handed back to the owners for paddy cultivation. 980 acres in Jaffna, 15,000 acres in Vavuniya, 19,600 acres in Mannar, 24,000 acres in Mullaitivu and 48,620 acres in Kilinochchi districts have been brought under paddy cultivation for the Maha season.

Paddy cultivation and fishing seem to be in full swing in Jaffna District following the eradication of terrorism after 30-year of civil disturbances and the resettlement of displaced persons mainly due to the efforts of the security forces directed by the Economic Development Minister and Chairman of the Northern Development of Task Force Basil Rajapaksa who were instrumental in removing the land mines and paving the way for the re-development of the lands by their owners.

The recent announcement by President Mahinda Rajapaksa that all arable land now in neglect should be brought under the plough including land in the plantations sector that require re-planting add yet another push-up for increased paddy cultivation. Paddy is the single most cultivated crop and the largest employer of seasonal labour in Sri Lanka. It employs more than 10 percent of the population and accounts for 34 percent of the total cultivated land in the country.

Bringing more land under paddy cultivation supported by modern technology in farming methods, provision of high yielding varieties of seed paddy and subsidized fertilizer will undoubtedly increase the supply of paddy and, therefore, the quantity of rice which is the main staple food of the people.

Not only does it increase the potentiality of Sri Lanka becoming self-sufficient in rice but also provide ample job opportunities for the youth in rural areas and raise their self-esteem enabling them to become productive and valued persons in the community. Self-sufficiency rate of rice has increased tremendously in the last few years due to the energetic efforts of the government and it sky-rocketed after the eradication of terrorism a year ago. According to the Department of Census and Statistics, paddy production in 2005 was 3,246,000 metric tons and the quantity available for human consumption (minus seed paddy and waste) was 2,953,962. The rice production equivalent (from domestic source) was 2,058,694 as against the total rice requirement of 2,045,472 and the rate of self-sufficiency was 100.65%.

It is estimated that the paddy production for 2010 would be 4,044, 000 and the total rice for consumption 2,681,518 as against the total rice requirement of 2,354,100 with the rate of self-sufficiency at 113.91% ; an increase of 13.26% over the 2005 rate of 100.65%.

It is, however, possible for unpredictable floods, droughts and other calamities to affect the supply of paddy and, in such eventualities, the government may be forced to import rice from overseas countries to tide over the difficulties in order to stabilize the supply and price of rice. When rice imports are reduced or eliminated after attaining self-sufficiency in rice, the money so saved could be profitably utilized to improve and increase the production of those industries that remain far below the optimum level of production due to lack of capital or start new industries to give a further boost to economic growth.