Govt’s correct policies lead country towards self-sufficiency

Rasika Somarathna in Wariyapola

The country which waited eagerly, until ships carrying food arrive from overseas to fill people’s stomachs in the past, can now look forward to an era where ships will come to take its food crop surplus and fill farmers’ pockets instead, President Mahinda Rajapaksa observed.

He said Sri Lanka has achieved self-sufficiency in many agricultural products and fast reaching that level in others, due to exponential growth of the sector in recent times.

President Rajapaksa noted this was due to the correct policies of the government where providing necessary assistance to farmers and building agricultural related infrastructure the key components.

Now the challenge, the President pointed out, was to buy the production at a reasonable price, find new varieties which will fetch an enhanced price internationally and export the food surplus to give farmers a better profit.

He also stressed that the country should look to deviate from the practice of using chemical fertilizer and pesticides which may harm both health and environment and look for more natural methods to supplement their crop production. President Rajapaksa made these comments in his speech as the Chief Guest at the inauguration of the agricultural exhibition and the launch of the annual national farmers week at the Wayamba Agricultural Training Institute at Wariyapola on Saturday.

The President went on to say, from the outset his government had identified that empowering the farmer was the best way to lead the country towards self sufficiency in food crops.

Highlighting some efforts, he said that his government had taken a decision to implement at least one mega irrigation project for every province in addition to small ones and had given fertilizer at the subsidized rate of Rs. 350 even when it reached prices of Rs.8,000 in world markets.

The President recalled that however this was not the case some time back. “We had leaders in the past who advised to fill up paddy lands, ordered to close down Paddy Marketing Board and let irrigation projects idle.

They said it was cheaper to import food rather than grow it here. These people still exist, he added.

He pointed out that the loans obtained to import flour during those times were being paid even now and this had become a burden on the people. President Rajapaksa also said the SLFP led government in 1970 had taken a decision to make the country self-sufficient in food crops and had implemented certain decisions to realize this goal. However, he pointed out that these had contained both good and bad aspects which were later revealed.

The present government had devised its mechanism taking into consideration the experience where the positives were embraced and negatives were shed, he added.

He said now some elements who try to find fault with every move of the government were charging that it is taking too many loans and added all such monies taken by the government were for development activities for the benefit of people and nothing else.

The President said whatever the challenges or obstacles lay in his government’s path he was not prepared to slow down or stall the development being enacted for the benefit of present and future generation.

The President also planted a sapling to mark the occasion.

Thereafter he viewed the exhibition. He also presented awards to the winners of the ‘Wayamba Govi Abhiman’ event.

Former Agriculture Minister D. B. Herath handed over a memento to the President on behalf of the farmers.

Former Minister D. B. Herath, Agricultural Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene and Former Chief Minister of Wayamba S. B. Navinna also spoke.

Ministers Johnston Fernando, Anura Yapa, T. B. Ekanayake, Indika Bandaranaike, other ministers, parliamentarians, state officials and a large gathering participated.

The exhibition displays more than 100 stalls with both private and public sector participation. Educational seminars, cultural events too are included. The exhibition will be held from 9.00 am to 10.00 pm until the July 10.