Advocates for nat’l agri. policy, incorporating innovation, new tech., cultivation methods, better tools, adequate compensation, nat’l land-use plan among other suggestions
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa proposed key reforms for agricultural development in the Parliament yesterday (12) including highlighting the need to revitalise the country’s irrigation infrastructure, which, despite its scale, suffers from significant shortcomings.
Towards this end, he called for a national programme to rehabilitate old irrigation systems, starting with small village tanks.
He emphasised the need for a well-defined national agricultural policy to replace the inconsistent policies that change over time. Premadasa pointed out that the absence of a national agricultural policy has led to confusion and inefficiency in the production cycle. He stressed the importance of a clear policy covering all aspects, including inputs, production processes, technology, marketing, and market access. He stated that the focus should be on making agricultural production more efficient.
He called for the modernisation of farming by incorporating innovation, new technology, and improved cultivation methods. He also highlighted the need to equip farmers with better tools to enhance productivity. Premadasa underscored the importance of smart and efficient agricultural methods to encourage young people to pursue farming as a viable profession.
While agriculture is crucial for food security, he acknowledged the challenges posed by human-wildlife conflicts. He criticised the current compensation provided for crop damage, the loss of life, and property destruction, stating that it remains inadequate. Premadasa stressed the necessity of a national land-use plan to mitigate human-elephant conflicts. He suggested integrating reserved forests, sanctuaries, and farming settlements into a comprehensive strategy. He proposed the use of artificial intelligence (AI), Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking, and community participation to address these conflicts.
Beehive barriers and chilli-based deterrents are also used in some regions in addition to electric fences and eco-friendly trenches. Premadasa asserted that the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Livestock should not work in isolation when conducting an animal census. He emphasised the need for collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Ministry to ensure accuracy.
Premadasa pointed out advanced techniques such as greenhouse farming and precision agriculture. He stressed the importance of adopting lessons from Netherlands’ agricultural policies, land consolidation, milk quotas, fertiliser regulations, technological advancements, sustainable practices, education, and market expansion.
He highlighted the need for progress in agricultural research, particularly through the use of drone technology, GPS systems, and modern equipment. He also emphasised the importance of measuring the production capacity per acre and calculating crop losses caused by natural disasters. He criticised the delays in compensating farmers for disaster-related damages, stating that crop loss represents a financial burden that must be addressed.
He criticised the inadequacy of funds allocated for purchasing paddy, stating that cost estimates per acre are unrealistic and based on flawed calculations. He pointed out that while Rs. 5,000 million was allocated for purchasing paddy during the Maha season, there was no mention of funds for the Yala season. He stated that this amount could only buy 40,000 metric tonnes – just 1.3% of the total harvest – which is insufficient for effective price control. He argued that for price stabilisation, at least 7-10% of the harvest should be purchased.