Agriculture experts once again urge lifting of ban on weedicides
Agriculturalists and researchers raised the alarm again on the ban of weedicides and pesticides at a seminar on “Challenges in Agriculture – The Way Forward” organised by the National Agribusiness Council in Colombo this week.
Dr. Parakrama Waidyanatha, an agricultural Research Scientist, explained to the forum that the ban of weedicides indicating that they include Glyphosate was without any basis as there is no proof to indicate that use of weedicide with this chemical has anything to do with the kidney disease spread. It was pointed out that all the countries, only Sri Lanka has banned it.
Though these facts were placed before the President, there hasn’t been any response. He sounded the alarm that in seeking global markets for Sri Lankan agricultural produce, this country cannot stand alone, but is compelled to follow international, norms, standards and practices.
Spelling out the challenges facing agriculture in Sri Lanka and how to find solutions, Rizvi Zaheed, Chairman, National Agribusiness Council, said that this initiative (forum) was taken to muster the extensive knowledge and experience available in the country and utilize them in an effective way to take agriculture to a higher level – to achieve 10 per cent agriculture contribution to the GDP.
He said that the task before them is enormous in the years ahead as the world population increase would jump from the current figure of 7.3 billion to 8.5 billion by 2030 and by 2050 the figure would jump to 10 billion and of course, he said that Sri Lanka is no exception, where the population is also expected to rise. The targets have been set to improve the quality of life of the people enhancing the income of farmers, add value to the agricultural produce.
He said that to achieve these targets their endeavour is to bring together all state agencies, the private sector and the media and for the information to be communicated to the farmer, in a robust and cohesive manner with the correct leadership.
Food security and nutrition, productivity, sustainability, innovation, enhancement of farmer income and livelihood are the main focus, he said. Though Sri Lanka has agricultural best practices, the country is behind countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand in overall achievements in agriculture, though Sri Lanka has the geostrategic advantage, he asserted.
One of the daring challenges is to fit the rural grower to the international or domestic value chain, he said and indicated that there should be policy framework in place so that it can facilitate “poor farmer Kiribanda in Girandurukotte to link his output with Unilever in France.”
He pointed out that the government has been speaking about policies, but sadly their implementation is grossly inadequate and said it reminds him the proverbial “Ibbagai haavagei race eka wagei”.
Dr. D.T.B. Wijeratne, Assistant Representative, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) speaking on ‘Challenges on Food Security and Nutrition said that though Sri Lanka could manage food security nutrition is a matter of concern as one third of the school going children are suffering from Vitamin A and Iron deficiencies.
Christopher Fernando, of the Spice and Allied Products Producers and Traders Association, brought to the notice of the forum that there are large scale thefts involved in removing the produce involving even some armed gangs and the unfortunate situation is that when the thieves are prosecuted only a Rs. 50 or so fine is imposed which is no deterrent to such thefts at all.
Consequent to the presentations, a lively panel discussion ensued where the role of private sector was stressed as it is making significant strides of achievement to take agriculture to a higher level. Dissemination of information and expertise as a one group together with the state sector was also highlighted.
It was stated that Sri Lanka must adopt the international norms, practices and fall in line with issues like the use of fertiliser, weedicides and pesticides as the international markets do not wait until this country makes adjustments and the best example is the use of Glyphosate which seems to be affecting agriculture in the country seriously and according to experts present at the forum who also called the ban ‘foolish’.
The forum noted the great progress a tiny country like Israel has made in the sphere of agriculture.