Farmers Cry Neglect Amidst UN Food Conference in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st); As the 37th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) unfolds in Sri Lanka, voices from the farming community are expressing concerns about their lack of representation and the dire challenges they face.

Rice farmers and civil  groups held a press conference in Colombo today (20), accusing the government of neglecting critical issues facing the agricultural sector.

Gamini Kulatunga, a member of the Walawa Agri Movement emphasized the timely nature of the conference but lamented the lack of farmer representation, and cited challenges like the ad-hoc organic fertilizer ban and extreme weather events impacting farmers since 2019. He expressed fear of complete agricultural collapse without addressing farmers' concerns.

Terrence Gamini, Vice Chairman of the Rajanganaya Joint Agri Movement highlighted the crucial role of small-scale farmers in feeding the global population and combating hunger.

He criticized the abandonment of traditional cultivation in favor of export crops, potentially leading to famine, and urged support for small-scale farmers and a shift in policy to address hunger effectively.

At the UN FAO conference, President Ranil Wickremesinghe outlined a three-pronged approach to transforming Sri Lanka's economy, emphasizing competitiveness, sustainability, and technological advancement. He announced a series of privatization initiatives aimed at boosting efficiency and attracting private investment.

“Despite recent economic challenges, including fertilizer shortages and foreign exchange constraints in 2022, Sri Lanka is now moving towards stability. Anticipating the finalization of debt restructuring agreements, Sri Lanka aims to emerge from its economic crisis and transition towards a revitalized economy, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts beyond mere stabilization. When assessing our economy, agriculture emerges as a sector capable of delivering swift results, closely followed by tourism," said the Presient.

Fortunately, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) facilitated the procurement of fertilizer, thereby bolstering our agricultural capabilities. As a result, as we approached the main cultivation season in April 2023, we found ourselves out of jeopardy, enjoying a bountiful season. This instilled confidence in our ability to progress, he added. 

The absence of domestic food production would have precipitated another crisis this year, but fortune favoured us. Anticipating a bountiful harvest this April and a subsequent yield by year-end, agriculture has undeniably played a pivotal role in navigating this economic challenge, noted the President.

Recognizing agriculture’s potential to drive sustained national development, it is imperative for every country to acknowledge its significance and prioritize its advancement.

Another critical factor contributing to the crisis we faced is the trade balance deficit. Historically, we’ve struggled to maintain a favourable trade balance and have accrued a substantial amount of foreign debt that seems insurmountable within current repayment agreements, said the President as quoted by the PMD.

"Consequently, our country requires a comprehensive economic transformation guided by three key principles: competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and digitalization. With a rich agricultural and export heritage spanning over 2000 years, Sri Lanka initially thrived on rice and grain exports, supported by our advanced irrigation systems. Traditionally, wealth wasn’t derived directly from land ownership but from control over water reservoirs in our ancient irrigated civilization. Following its decline, we transitioned to the wet zone, where spices became a prominent export until the decline in prices during British rule prompted a shift to tea, coconut, and rubber cultivation. Despite India and Sri Lanka maintaining dominance in these sectors globally, our agricultural development has been neglected," he added, said the PMD.

In 1972, large estates were dismantled, capping land ownership at 50 acres, while initiatives like the Mahaweli scheme allocated vast acreage for cultivation, supported by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. However, progress was impeded by the conflict.

"Efforts to revitalize and expand our agricultural sector are imperative for sustainable economic growth and development. Even after neglecting the plantation industry for some time, we must now re-engage with it. It’s imperative that we put in the necessary effort. Our goal is to regain our status as a country that exports agricultural products. This objective is being thoroughly studied. We can draw inspiration from our friendly country, Thailand, which currently maintains a robust agricultural export economy. Let’s take cues from their success. Our first step is to restructure the existing system and involve the private sector," the President noted.

"Additionally, we are prioritizing the adoption of modern agricultural techniques in our country. This is crucial for our agricultural sector’s advancement, even though it may take 10 to 15 years to fully implement. However, our aim is to expedite this process and achieve our goals within a decade. We are actively introducing the latest agricultural practices to our nation. Yet, we face another challenge: the exodus of young people from rural areas to urban centres, resulting in a decline in traditional agricultural participation. Introducing smart agricultural practices to rural communities can help retain youth in villages. To address this, we have consolidated the Ministry of Agriculture, previously divided into three ministries, under one minister, to prioritize this issue. Moreover, we have initiated restructuring efforts within related institutions. Our primary focus is to ensure that farmers receive quality service," said Wickremesinghe.

President Wickremesinghe affirmed the government’s dedication to elevating Sri Lanka as a prominent exporter of agricultural produce through rapid agricultural sector transformation. He emphasized the pivotal role agriculture played in navigating Sri Lanka through the previous economic crisis and highlighted agriculture and tourism as key sectors for the nation’s swift recovery.

During the 37th session of the Asia and Pacific Regional Conference (APRC) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced Sri Lanka’s Chairmanship till 2026.