Lanka must promote organic products

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

Sri Lanka should now promote organic products in the local market as it has already earned its name in the international market, Agricultural Ministry's Additional Secretary (Development) Dr DBT Wijeratne said. Speaking on 'Empowering the organic tea sector' at a seminar organised by Rain Forest Rescue International, he said value added organic products is the best way to earn a better income for the grower while giving a better product to the consumer.

‘But the knowledge of the local consumer about organic products is not sufficient at present,’ he said. The authorities therefore has taken the initiative to hold the first ever organic exhibition in Sri Lanka early next year to educate the public on the benefits of consuming and promoting organic products.

It will be an annual event thereafter.

Dr Wijeratne said in 2002 the government included promoting organic products in the National Agricultural Policy as it was considered the best way to get the advantage of entering a new market.

He said value added organic tea became the most profitable compared with bulk tea.

“When volumes are reduced the answer is to increase value addition to the product and recover the balance.

Accordingly the next step is rainforest tea which is another innovative step.

Rainforest tea certification will start from Sri Lanka and there will be certified value added organic tea bags, high quality tea, and flavoured tea.

Under the new initiative all growers, input suppliers; collectors and processors, retailers and marketing teams will be educated. The Ministry will undertake to provide technical and training support, certification process, processing and marketing Dr Wijeratne said.