March 08, Colombo (LNW): Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry addressed Parliament on the 7th, announcing the commencement of a revolutionary government program that involves releasing a portion of state land for cultivation purposes. Stressing the government’s commitment to protecting farmers, he participated in the debate on the adjournment motion focusing on mitigating the damage inflicted on the agriculture industry by wild animals.
Minister Sabry highlighted the significant role farmers play in the country, constituting 27 percent of the workforce, yet only eight percent contribute to the national economy. He expressed concern over the insufficient income received by hardworking farmers, emphasizing the need to address the underlying issues in the agricultural sector.
Citing the fact that 80 percent of land cultivated by peasants belongs to smallholders, Minister Sabry outlined the government’s groundbreaking initiative to allocate part of the government-owned land to farmers. This move aims to empower farmers and enhance productivity, particularly in the face of challenges posed by wild animals and insect-related damage affecting crops like maize and coconut.
Minister Sabry urged the formulation of a comprehensive program to modernize the agriculture industry, emphasizing the importance of introducing modern technology and new crop varieties. Drawing a parallel with Vietnam’s success in rice exports, he underscored the impact of granting land rights to Vietnamese peasants and emphasized the need for a similar approach in Sri Lanka.
The Minister emphasized the government’s responsibility to train farmers in innovative crop protection methods and advocated for the introduction of an insurance system to compensate farmers for crop damage. Additionally, he stressed the need for regulating fertilizer usage, as excessive application was reported, leading to wastage. Minister Sabry called for a streamlined system in the crop sales process, post-harvest crop protection, and increased attention to food safety measures, ultimately fostering progress in the agriculture sector.
