President gets tougher; insists no change in organic agri policy

• Subsidies only for organic farming
• President expresses displeasure to officials for not educating farmers properly 
• Urges commitment of officials essential to make policy victorious
• Tells officials are free to walkout if they do not agree with Govt. policy

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday affirmed that the agriculture policy was only for a green agriculture that focuses on the sole use of organic fertilisers.

“There is no change in the Government policy,” he stressed at a special discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday on the cultivation for the ‘Maha’ Season and the supply of organic fertiliser.

The President also said that the Government would distribute organic fertiliser and provide subsidies only for organic farming.

President Rajapaksa pointed out that the farmers should be properly educated, insisting that it is vital to identify the chemical fertiliser mafia that exists when implementing the green policies. 

“The reason behind farmers organising protests and delaying cultivation was that they have not been properly educated,” Rajapaksa said, expressing his displeasure to the officials for not accurately educating the farmers.

He emphasised that the commitment of officials was essential to make the policy victorious.

The President emphasised that the officials should work to find answers on behalf of the agitated farmers in accordance with the green agriculture policy, whilst adding that there is no obstacle for the officials, who do not agree with the Government policy, to leave.

The President inquired from officials at the district level about the cultivation of paddy and other crops in all parts of the country. 

The heavy rains that prevailed have reduced the yield of many crops, including vegetables. Moreover, the delay in the distribution of organic manure affected the cultivation activities during the Maha Season. 

However, at the district level, the cultivation activities commenced in nearly 70% of the total agricultural lands, the officials were quoted as saying.

The President also said that the support of a team that works clearly according to their conscience is needed for the success of this program.

Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa, Governors Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetileke and Anuradha Yahampath, Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundera, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Heads of the Ministry of Agriculture and its affiliated line agencies and organic fertiliser manufacturers were also present on the occasion.