‘One million home garden program’ to win cultivation war

Ariya RUBASINGHE

Prevention of devastations caused by the elements of nature are an impossible task. However, if we have some premeditated plans we could minimize the damages. But the devastations caused to about 300,000 acres of paddy land by the recent floods is something which cannot be prevented with premonition.

First part of this article was published last Saturday

The population of the sub-urbanite and village level especially has many alternatives that could be followed. If they use the land they live, even if it is very small in extent, they should be able to cultivate a vegetable patch, some green leaf, a lemon tree, some rampe and curry leave plants, a papaw plant, a kathurumurunga plant etc. There may not be sufficient space for all this. But it is important to utilize the available land for fruitful use.

Opening the ‘Deyata Kirula’ exhibition in Buttala, the President officially declared that the government will launch a program for the cultivation of one million home gardens.

This is a topical as well as a propitious move to find solutions to a numerous crucial problems. A leader who heroically brought an end to a 30 years disastrous terrorist war, the successful implementation of a program of cultivating one million home gardens will not be a massive task.

However, it needs the dedication of each and every since it is not merely a program that concern you alone, not the welfare of you alone, but devoid of petty politics it is something that is beyond you as an individual and beneficial to everyone and for the country.

It has been that this program will be implemented without any additional cost under the supervision of the Grama Niladhari, the Samurdhi Officer, the Agrarian Service Officer and Health Service Officer who are the people directly linked to the people in all areas.

Under the first stage of this program 100 home gardens from each Grama Niladhari Division and all seed varieties, fertilizer, agricultural equipment and expert advise will be provided. Recommendations will also be given on the suitable varieties of cultivation for each home garden.

People who desire to rear poultry will be given technical advise and chicks. Those who have sufficient to rear cattle will be provided with necessary and other assistance.

Village becoming prosperous

There is no doubt that in the implementation of this countrywide program there will be a reawakening of the village, revival of its prosperity and self-sufficiency in the villages.

Apart from the Government Servants, there is a respected class of society consisting of the native physician, the retired Principal or teacher, the Post Master and so on in every village.

There are also retired government servants. Since all these persons have passed the prime age of their life and are experienced persons their, direct or indirect contribution for the one million home garden project could be obtained.

It should be the aspiration of everyone who wishes good for the country, to see the revival of this concept and it becoming the lifeline of the country since it is something that we have inherited from our cultural legacy.

We all know that the Cultivation War and the program of ‘Let us cherish our own products’ launched in the 1970 under the guidance and leadership of late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike and carried out by her Agriculture Minister Hector Kobbekaduwa brought in many successful and highly admirable results.

It is true that during this period even the ladies in Colombo 7 uprooted their Croton plants and planted varieties of vegetables instead. If this great policy was continued many problems we face due to becoming slavish to foreign countries for importing everything we need could have been avoided. We are now facing the disadvantages of the open economic policy introduced by the United National Party Government.

This situation could further escalate because we have to face perennial problems of natural disasters and the acute food shortage situation in the world. Solutions for these crises are essential. One solution to this problem is let us use the theme ‘Let’s grow our things.’

Cultivation areas

One million home garden program or additional programs that could under the development the indigenous economy, which would be the backbone of our economy are being implemented under the leadership of the Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

He not only knows about Hambantota and Gampaha but knows about all villages, all communities, about the economic needs of the country and more than anything the pulse of the people and he is a very practical personality.

He has a special knack for achieving set targets. This is amply proved by his success in implementing the Neganahira Navodaya and Uthuru Vasanthaya programs and through the accomplishments being made in the economic progress of the country.

I am personally aware that young Basil Rajapaksa during the 1970 Cultivation War period gained much experience by providing maximum assistance to his Parliamentarian brethren Chamal Rajapaksa and Mahinda Rajapaksa for harvesting the paddy fields in the Mulkirigala and Beliatte electorates and to make cultivation areas in Middeniya, Bata-Atta and Ambalantota prosperous farm lands.

There is no doubt that this magnificent ‘One million home garden program’ will march towards victory. It would provide sanctity for the whole nation.

Concluded

The writer is Director General of the Media Centre for National Development

Courtesy: Media Centre for National Development