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‘All Sri Lankans have become cultivators now’:

Agriculture, soul of the country - Minister Mahinda Yapa


There is a famous saying that cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens, they are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to it’s liberty and interests by the most lasting bands. Now all Sri Lankans have become cultivators. Because they have realized the value of it. Agriculture is the soul of the country.

We are fortunate to have a golden soil. Now the every inch of land in the country is now free to cultivate. It is necessary to have a good support from the government to successfully continue the cultivation process. As the pioneer government institute of agriculture development in the country, the Agriculture Ministry plays a vital role to do this task.

Presently there are various types of programmes which have been introduced by the government. The Daily News interviewed Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane on the recent measures taken by the ministry.




Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane

Q: The country’s agriculture sector is experiencing rapid growth. In this background what kind of support is the government giving to encourage people?

A: There are various types of programmes such as Divi Neguma, Api Wavamu Rata Nagamu in progress in the country and the government always tries to encourage people by providing fertilizer, seeds and technical support. It is necessary to pay our utmost attention to farmers in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, as they didn’t have proper guidance during the past three decades.

It will be a good opportunity for people in Northern and Eastern areas to solve their problems relating to agriculture. If they have a good knowledge about modern agriculture technologies they can increase their production and get good profits. Because of that we have decided to hold the National Farmers Week in Vavuniya from August 1 to 5.

A National Agriculture Exhibition will also be organized during the week. Jaffna farmers are using their own methods of farming. They give priority to organic farming. The Agriculture Exhibition will be a very good opportunity for us to get an idea about their farming methods. The minister also said that Northern farmers are very keen on agriculture as they received a good price for their produce. The government has taken measures to establish an economic centre in Killinochchi within another six months. It will provide a great opportunity for Northern farmers to sell their produce.

Q: Arsenic in locally produced rice has become a hot topic in Sri Lanka. What is your idea about this?

A: Arsenic is not a big issue for a country like ours as we have clever scientists. If they proved that pesticides used in Sri Lanka contains Arsenic elements scientifically, we will take action against those who import pesticides. Our responsibility is to provide enough food for people, but not import foods. So we are always trying to encourage farmers to cultivate as far as they can to increase agriculture production. In these circumstances, we cannot completely refuse chemicals.

It is true that they have a bad affect on human health and the environment. But some times we have to use them for unpreventable incidents such as the planthopper problem. People can argue about this. But as a government we have to think about both sides. According to a research done by agriculture experts, we have noticed a 50 percent difference in production on land cultivated with used pesticide and land cultivated without used pesticides. So we always encourage farmers to limit pesticide usage.

Q: What kind of action is the government taking to control the usage of pesticide?

A: The government has taken measures to amend the Control of Pesticide Act with the objective of finding a solution to problems relating to pesticides. Presently we grant permission to import, packaging, labelling, storage, formulation, transport, sale and use of pesticides according to the Control of Pesticides Act No. 33 of 1980.

This Act was introduced 30 years before the content of pesticides, languages and size of the lettering, danger symbols and colours, precautions during handling, first aid and antidotes are monitored by using old technologies. So it is necessary to amend this Act according to modern needs and technologies. Before we amend the Act we seek ideas of private sector companies who import pesticides and other relevant authorities.

We conduct awareness programmes in every village and we have already conducted awareness programmes in the Matara District.

We are also encouraging people to cultivate food in their home gardens for daily consumption without using chemicals.

Q: Are you satisfied with the present situation of the agriculture sector?

A: Yes I am satisfied. Because we are 110 percent self sufficient in rice, 86 percent self-sufficient in maize and have also seen an increase in other productions. We are always trying to reduce imports and encourage farmers to cultivate more food that can be cultivated in Sri Lanka. We have taken measures to export local rice varieties with the support of private sector companies. There is a big demand for them in the foreign market due to their medicinal value. As the Agriculture Minister I will try my best to provide local food for people as far as possible. We are not alone as people throughout the country are extending their fullest support to win this cultivation war.

 

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