‘All Sri Lankans have become cultivators now’:
Agriculture, soul of the country - Minister Mahinda Yapa
Ishara MUDUGAMUWA
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
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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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