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Food is essential. Though we had terrorism and war, few people died of hunger.  We often do not give much thought to our plate of rice. Our colonial masters drew us into the habit of eating wheat flour products at a time when most of us were having three meals of rice. They are now trying to introduce some rare rice varieties. Today only a few people can identify local rice varieties. Earlier, most people were able to identify trees and plants by just looking at the leaves or a piece of the bark.  Today we do not have many people with this capability and some cannot even identify wild animals.

Many people got a rich harvest from the Paddy Lands Act introduced in 1956. But the children of most farmers do not know this. Three fourths of our paddy fields have become fallow today.

There is no major scarcity of food in Pakistan and India.  They have won the food war, though rain is irregular. Despite the scarcity of water, they have become successful because of hard work. We have lost in the areas of industrial and food production. Though there is a development of agricultural machinery in the rest of the world, we don’t see in Sri Lanka an emphasis on the production of the common mammoty, spade, or the scythe. Most of those in authority do not know even their prices, and most farmers and consumers are silent. Those who talk of the cost of living do not do much to obtain these items for the farmer at affordable prices. The blacksmith industry here is long dead. The agricultural implements imported are of poor quality. Most of those who talk about the tea industry do not know the price of a pruning knife. Today it is difficult to find a rubber tapping knife. Those who have their feet on the ground and those who are convinced that we cannot live in hunger must find ways to deal with the food problem.

The price of rice has increased, and more rice is being imported. Though there is a labour shortage in Japan, all their fields have been cultivated and standards are maintained. Can we buy rice from the market and keep it in good condition for one or two years? We are unable to do so. If there is a worldwide famine we will not be able to find even a blade of grass for our sustenance. Even our animals have no food. We fall sick after drinking milk from these animals and eating their flesh is dangerous as they are given artificial food.

If no proper legal action is taken with regard to agricultural lands, the little we have will also go fallow. If we dig two or three feet we can find water in any paddy field.  India and other agricultural countries are doing this. The hand tiller is an invention of a Sri Lankan. We can do much agricultural activity with it. We can dig a well in the paddy field and draw water with a water pump. With the hand tiller we can plough the field, harvest the rice, winnow it and even provide electricity and transport.

Let us create the hand tiller culture. Religious institutions, societies, loan committees, death donation societies and schools in villages need to think of cultivation work. Otherwise, there will be food scarcity if not a famine in our country. That is one reason why the Gangaramaya began the project to sell a packet of rice at Rs. 50.

If we work earnestly for a few months to improve agriculture, we can control the increasing prices. Those who are clamouring for higher wages must reflect deeply on whether they are cooperating with the project to grow more and protect the economy. At present, we are going through a severe drought. If we organise Pirith ceremonies for rain and make vows to the deities, we will have rain in due course.

At one time, we seldom had scarcity of water. We were self-sufficient in food. Drugs, gambling and indecency were seldom heard of. What has gone wrong with us? We cannot blame others. We need to realise our own faults. Be conscious about good health and earnestly work to give priority to food production. The parents need to set an example to their children. Let each one grow whatever is possible.  Even the water dropping from the roof should not go waste.

There are many who talk about good health. But today kidney ailments and cancer are spreading. I learnt from the ‘National Geographic magazine that ‘Batu’ is good for the cure of cancer. We tried to make popular Thibbatu, Katuwelbatu and Wambatu. We did our best to make these popular. Batu leaves are the ideal medicinal herb for the cure of diseases connected with phlegm. We made efforts to plant these on a large scale.

Last week we came to know of a Gabo Street sales point where they were selling Katuwelbatu leaves with the fruits intact. They were in gunny bags. These have been imported from India and the price was Rs. 400 a kilo. I bought them all and now we are preparing nursery beds to have them planted. In about a month, we will be able to supply Katuwelbatu plants to those who wish to grow them.

The plant grows anywhere in whatever climate and there are no dangers to this plant from wild animals either. There is a good income from this. The plant can be grown in fallow paddy fields and will grow like Mimosa even without fertilizer.

Thalanabatu is expensive in the market these days. During the past two months we planted more than 25,000 Thibbatu plants around the Beira Lake, in the land donated to us by Edwin Thillakeratne in Seenigama, at Nugadandawatte in Ingiriya, in Urumuttawatte, Suriyawewa, Weeraketiya and Wanduramba.  Those who wish to increase their income can plant these.

Unfortunately, most people appear to be lazy these days. In several countries people are working 10 or 12 hours, but many of us do not put in the minimum number of hours at our work places. This is a tragedy. We are digging our own grave. We must realise this weakness.  It is better to plant trees that are medicinal or have food value. If we start doing it now for the next three months, we could be self-sufficient by January.

Rise up, be vigilant and work. Bless those who produce your food and be grateful to them. Blessings will be on you. Plant something that is useful.