Domestic economies

The Budget 2011 had a proposal to establish one million domestic economic units. Though it has not been implemented still there are already signs that the Government is seriously preparing for it. Already inter-ministerial committees have been formed to formulate a master plan.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa recently called for the establishment of home gardens. Such gardens could become a nucleus of the domestic economic units. President's call is all the more timely for two reasons. One is the impending global food crisis. Food prices are on an upward trend and production is also declining due to climate change and other reasons. Second, the recent heavy rain and floods have destroyed agricultural crops and damaged infrastructure which will have a serious impact on future production in the country.

The need for home gardens could be seen from another perspective. That is the need for healthy food and the need to ensure a wholesome diet. There are many varieties of junk food in the market. There is also, in consequence an alarming increase in the incidence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and chronic heart ailments. A home garden could ensure healthier food by using organic fertilizer instead of chemical ones. It would also be a big relief to the households if they could grow their own vegetables and fruits for the prices in the market are exorbitant. Actually one reason for high prices is the middleman who exploits both the producer and the end consumer.

A million home gardens could contribute significantly to the national economy. The objective should be to develop home gardens to supply domestic needs so that commercial agriculture could cater to large consumers like hotels etc and even export its products. Under normal weather Sri Lanka is today self-sufficient in rice. Hence rice market should be explored abroad. Development of home gardens could also enable commercial fruit cultivators also to export their products or supply them to processing manufacturers.

Another industry that has a potential in the home economy is livestock gardening. Households should also be given incentives to take up domestic industries such as poultry, aquaculture, mushroom cultivation etc.

Even developed countries have household production units. It is not confined to the rural districts. In certain cities with limited unutilized lands roof gardens are cultivated. Some cities are self-sufficient or near self-sufficient in certain food crops.

What is necessary is to educate the masses on the importance of the domestic economic units and provide them with know-how and incentives to take up production at domestic level. It is also possible to group into one production unit four to five families. Such neighbourhood units could produce more efficiently than single household units for there could be better division of labour and sharing of expertise. What is needed is a national movement for producing food and other household requirements at domestic level. In today's context it would be more than self-help. It would be patriotic too as it would assist in averting a food crisis.

Malnutrition is raising its head again in the country. Even children of affluent families have been found to be suffering from malnutrition. While economic hardships have contributed to malnutrition in some quarters such as the estate sector, in the cities it is also a result of bad food habits caused by being victim to marketing propaganda of fast food companies. This calls for an attitudinal change and a change in the food patterns of the populace. This is easier said than done. It would need a Herculean effort. Yet it should be done to ensure the well-being of future generations, at least.

Criminal star or star criminal?

Media reports of an anticipated competition to select the best prisoner. In this season of reality shows where all types of stars, some dreaming, some dancing are in vogue none can blame those who are behind this 'brilliant idea', obviously a 'brainchild' of some higher up, for otherwise no idea would come to fruition in this blessed isle.

There is only one hitch. The terms of the competition are not clear. Is it to select the prisoner whose conduct is best in comparison with behaviour expected of normal citizens or to select the prisoner with the best criminal record? One could also expect a mad rush at prison gates to join the competition and grab the reward. Aren't we a people who would accept even a headache, if given free? Isn't it a faster and more sure way of getting rich than keeping your trust in Sakvitis and Danduwam Mudalalis?