‘Lankans reaping benefits of development in agriculture sector’

Api Wavamu Rata Nagamu, Divi Neguma programmes, main factors for growth:

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

In 1912, Sri Lanka had to import 70 percent of the country's rice requirement for the consumption of seven million people. But in 2012, we do not import a single seed of paddy for the consumption of 21 million people as we are self-sufficient in rice.

At present, Sri Lankans are reaping the benefits of development in the agriculture sector. The sector has reached a golden era. Sri Lanka is self-sufficient in rice and maize. The country is also reaching self-sufficiency in other crops such as chilli, onion, etc. Sri Lanka also has a surplus of vegetables and fruits.

Mahinda Chinthanaya has opened a new and successful chapter in the agriculture sector. The government’s food production programmes such as Api Wavamu Rata Nagamu and Divi Neguma are main factors for this growth.

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena	Agriculture Department Information and Communication Director Dr Rohan Wijekoon

As the institution responsible for agricultural development in the country, the Agriculture Department plays a key role in the success of the field.

Since it was established, the Agriculture Department has carried out a great service for the development of the agriculture sector.

The department's main functions are research, seed and planting material production, regulatory services, plant quarantine, soil conservation, registration of pesticides. Agriculture currently contributes around 12-13 percent to the Gross Domestic Product while 33-36 percent of the workforce is engaged in agriculture.

“Sri Lanka is predominantly an agricultural country. It has a long history in agriculture. From ancient times, agriculture has strengthened the country's economy. Our historical resources prove that we had proper water management methods, beautiful ways of creating paddy fields, advanced irrigated rice culture and advanced irrigated cultivation,” Agriculture Department Information and Communication Director and chief organiser of the century celebrations Dr Rohan Wijekoon told the Daily News.

Foreign invasions

He said historical sources prove that about 20,000 years ago, this country had a livelihood based on agriculture. As we all know King Parakramabahu I created large irrigation schemes to develop agriculture. During his period the country was self-sufficient in rice and even exported to countries such as Burma (Myanmar) and Siam (Thailand).

According to Wijekoon, Sri Lanka's agriculture sector was badly affected by foreign invasions. The ancient tank based irrigation culture and economic pattern completely changed. When Kalinga Maga invaded in 1214, he destroyed all irrigation reservoirs in the Rajarata area, including Polonnaruwa. It had a drastic impact on the 1,700 year old irrigation culture of the dry zone. Malaria and soil salinity also affected the health of the people and forced them to move to the central hills.

“During the Portuguese period they introduced food crops such as pineapple, papaya, grapes, cashew, breadfruit, tomato, chilli, manioc and bought cinnamon, pepper and other items from our country. The Dutch bought cinnamon, arecanut and introduced rambutan, mangusteen, durian, etc. But development in the agriculture sector did not take place during the Portuguese and the Dutch periods,” he said.

He added that the British payed more attention to the agriculture sector.

They first developed the country's road system. They grabbed land from rural farmers under the Crown Land Encroachment Ordinance to develop the agriculture sector.

All lands in the central hills were completely taken over by coffee cultivations. But the coffee cultivation was destroyed due to Coffee Rust disease. Then they introduced tea. The British also introduced vegetables such as cabbage, beetroot, carrot, leeks, etc cultivated for the first time on Bakers farm. The owner of Bakers farm was Samuel Baker. He is considered to be the father of hill country vegetables.

All agricultural activities in Sri Lanka were monitored by the Royal Botanical Gardens established in 1822. They introduced food crops for low prices and provided technical assistance to farmers. Tea, rubber, coffee, coconut and cocoa cultivations were developed during that period.

The National Farmers’ Week 2012

Governor McCallum appointed a special committee in 1899 to draft a report on the necessity of the establishment of a department for agriculture. After 13 years the Agriculture Department was established by the committee in 1912.

“The current arrangements, under which the Director of Botanical Gardens provides advice on agricultural matters, do not work well. There are considerable areas in the Gardens. The system is unsatisfactory not only to the government, but equally so to the public, both European and local. I have been convinced that Ceylon should have a proper Agricultural Department and that the Gardens should for the present be separated, improved and modernised.” (Seasonal Paper No 7 by Overnor McMillion in 1911).

Sri Lanka imported over 70 percent of the country's rice requirement when the Agriculture Department was established in 1912 . It is a matter of pride to state that now Sri Lanka is self-sufficient in rice.

Introduction of hybrid varieties and the seedling broadcasting method (commonly known as parachute method) by agriculturists of the department is the success behind this programme. Sri Lanka's first hybrid variety is BG 407 H. Hybrid paddy varieties are popular in countries such as China, Vietnam, Philippines, Indian, Myanmar, USA, etc.

Not only paddy, but Sri Lanka is also self-sufficient in maize. Now the country has a surplus of fruits and vegetables. Under the guidance of Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Director General of the Department K. G. Sriyapala, the Agriculture Department is rendering a great service for the betterment of the agriculture sector in accordance with the Mahinada Chinthana policy.

The Agriculture Department celebrates 100 years this year. The National Farmers’ Week 2012 will be held in Gannoruwa, Kandy to mark the centenary celebrations.

The celebrations are from July 20-25 under the theme Hunger Free Proud Century. The opening ceremony of the Farmers’ Week and the National Agriculture Exhibition is held on July 20 under the patronage of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

The construction of an agriculture museum will commence on July 22 under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa coinciding with the Farmers’ Week.

Admission to the exhibition is free of charge for schoolchildren and elders should buy a Govisetha ticket as the entrance ticket.

The evolution of the country's agriculture sector will be showcased at the exhibition. All food crops introduced by the Portuguese, Dutch and British, and other improved varieties will also be showcased at the exhibition.