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In a major milestone for Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector, Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries Mahinda Amaraweera has introduced that the nation is now self-sufficient in rice manufacturing. Which means that Sri Lanka shouldn’t be anticipated to import any rice in 2024, a exceptional achievement that guarantees better meals safety and financial independence.
This achievement is the results of years of devoted efforts by farmers and authorities initiatives to spice up home rice manufacturing. It not solely bodes properly for the nation’s meals safety but in addition represents a crucial step in direction of decreasing reliance on overseas imports and strengthening the agricultural sector.
The Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Trade, Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera talked about this whereas becoming a member of a press briefing held on the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) on the theme ‘Collective Path to a Steady Nation’ as we speak (29).
Minister Amaraweera introduced a renewed give attention to supporting Sri Lanka’s agricultural and plantation sectors in 2023. His ministry applied focused packages geared toward boosting each industries.
One key initiative was a considerable monetary funding in fertilizer subsidies. Throughout the Yala and Maha seasons, Rs. 22 billion have been allotted to make sure entry and affordability for farmers. Moreover, the federal government dedicated Rs. 13 billion to immediately buy paddy from farmers, offering precious earnings and market stability.
This dedication paid off. In contrast to 2022, when 08 metric tons of rice was imported, Sri Lanka achieved self-sufficiency in 2023. The folks of the nation consumed rice grown fully by Sri Lankan farmers all year long. This exceptional achievement, in opposition to the backdrop of financial challenges, underscores the resilience and success of the federal government’s agricultural improvement efforts.
Minister Amaraweera highlighted the numerous investments made in 2023 to revitalize Sri Lanka’s agricultural and plantation sectors. The success of those packages, significantly in reaching rice self-sufficiency, demonstrates the significance of focused help for farmers and the potential for additional development in these important industries.
Echoing the devastation of the earlier 12 months, paddy cultivation as soon as once more fell sufferer to each drought and torrential downpours. A staggering 65,000 acres succumbed to the parched earth, whereas one other 100,000 acres drowned underneath relentless floods. Recognizing the farmers’ plight, the federal government allotted Rs. One billion to compensate for drought-related losses, with 700 million already distributed. Nevertheless, the destiny of flood-damaged farmers stays unsure, casting a shadow over their livelihoods and elevating issues about the way forward for this important crop.The current surge in vegetable costs has been a significant concern for Sri Lankans. This improve was primarily pushed by the destruction of large-scale vegetable crops attributable to heavy rains. Farmers confronted the unlucky state of affairs of replanting their seeds a number of occasions, solely to see them washed away by the downpours.
Nevertheless, there’s a glimmer of hope. By offering farmers with “internet homes,” the federal government has enabled them to domesticate greens in a extra protected setting, guaranteeing some degree of provide to the market. This initiative, whereas not an entire answer, has actually helped mitigate the influence of the heavy rains.
Wanting forward, the following two months supply some promise of reduction. With the wet season anticipated to subside, vegetable costs are anticipated to return to regular ranges. It will undoubtedly carry much-needed respite to each shoppers and farmers.
In the meantime, the federal government has set its sights on boosting nationwide meals safety by focused crop manufacturing. In 2024, 4 key crops – paddy, maize, potato, and chilli – have been prioritized to satisfy particular nationwide objectives. This give attention to these crops doesn’t, nonetheless, signify neglect of different crops.
One attention-grabbing improvement is the renewed give attention to crimson onion cultivation. The recognition of this selection had waned in recent times, partly as a result of rise of B onions. To deal with this, the federal government is implementing initiatives to advertise crimson onion manufacturing in particular areas equivalent to Monaragala Thelulla, Jaffna, and Kurunegala Moragollagama and Niandagama. This renewed give attention to crimson onions goals to diversify Sri Lanka’s agricultural panorama and guarantee a extra balanced provide of important greens.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries has launched into a collection of essential initiatives this 12 months, aiming to bolster the standard and yield of the nation’s key plantation crops – tea, rubber, and coconut. These efforts mark a major departure from previous approaches and maintain immense promise for the way forward for Sri Lanka’s plantation sector.
Spearheading these endeavours is the B60 coverage, applied on 01st of January 2024. This focused initiative focuses on enhancing the standard of tea leaves, a significant facet of guaranteeing Sri Lanka’s tea maintains its international popularity for excellence.
Moreover, the Ministry has launched a program to offer sponsored fertilizers to tea, rubber, and coconut plantations. This program leverages the experience of Sri Lanka’s two government-owned fertilizer firms, the Business Fertilizer Firm and Lanka Fertilizer Firm. Notably, a particular sponsored fertilizer mix particularly formulated for tea cultivation was additionally launched as we speak, marking a dedication to tailoring options to the distinctive wants of every crop.
Lastly, recognizing the crucial function of fertilizer in maximizing tea yields, the Ministry has taken decisive steps to make sure home manufacturing of all tea fertilizers. This transfer empowers Sri Lanka to regulate the standard and availability of those important inputs, paving the way in which for better stability and development within the tea cultivation sector.
In an effort to revitalize Sri Lanka’s tea trade, the federal government is making premium tea fertilizer extra accessible to growers. Each the Colombo Business Fertilizer Firm and the Ceylon Fertilizer Firm, owned by the federal government, are producing high-quality fertilizers particularly for tea cultivation. To help growers, these fertilizers are being supplied at a considerably diminished worth – almost 50% lower than the market worth, or a minimum of Rs. 2000 lower than the worth with VAT.
This worth discount applies to each T-200 and T-750 fertilizers, accessible for Rs. 5500 per bundle, and U-709 and U-834 fertilizers, priced at Rs. 7735 per bundle. This initiative goes past simply making fertilizer extra inexpensive. The federal government can be actively selling new cultivation applied sciences alongside correct fertilizer software.
One such know-how is the high-density cultivation system. With 59 profitable tasks already applied, this strategy has confirmed demonstrably efficient, yielding a formidable 1350 kg of tea leaves per acre per 30 days. The federal government stays dedicated to supporting tea growers, allocating Rs. 1000 million this 12 months to additional bolster the high-density cultivation initiative. By these mixed efforts, Sri Lanka’s tea trade is poised for renewed development and success.
A major step in direction of boosting Sri Lanka’s tea manufacturing was taken as we speak with the signing of a tripartite settlement. The Sri Lanka Tea Board and Small Tea Property Improvement Authority joined arms with two state-owned fertilizer firms to offer sponsored tea fertilizer. This initiative is predicted to be a significant boon for tea growers, reducing their enter prices and facilitating elevated yields.
Credit score for this significant program goes to the visionary management of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The strategic merger of the Ministry of Plantation Industries with the Ministry of Agriculture in 2023 paved the way in which for this collaborative effort, demonstrating the ability of unified motion in driving nationwide progress. This settlement marks a promising chapter in Sri Lanka’s journey to reinforce its tea cultivation and safe a stronger place within the international market.
(President’s Media Unit)
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