State Agriculture Minister says Government ready to address any food crisis

• Asserts steps taken to re-cultivate 11,000 acres of abandoned paddy lands

State Agriculture Minister Mohan Priyadarshana De Silva yesterday affirmed the Government’s proactive stance in ensuring food security by announcing plans to re-cultivate 11,000 acres of abandoned paddy lands before the year’s end.

The State Minister highlighted that the initiative to revive neglected paddy lands is being executed under the supervision of the Department of Agrarian Development, with a budget allocation of Rs. 420 million dedicated to this purpose.

Speaking at a press conference themed ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ held at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) De Silva emphasised the need for vigilance amidst global food concerns. 

He referred to temporary halts in rice exports by countries like Pakistan and India as well as potential future crises that warrant Sri Lanka’s preparedness. “The Government cannot improve the country’s agriculture industry alone. Support from everyone is necessary for that,” the State Minister emphasised, noting that agriculture contributes 7.5% to the nation’s GDP.

De Silva applauded President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s efforts in aiding farmers through subsidies, insurance, and streamlined purchasing mechanisms. He underscored that the country’s annual rice requirement of 2.4 million tons is set to be exceeded with a projected 2.7 million tons of paddy this year, potentially leading to a surplus of 300,000 tons.

“I do not believe that the country will experience a food crisis in the future,” De Silva asserted. He highlighted President Wickremesinghe’s directive to prohibit the release of rice reserves for beer manufacturing, underlining the Government’s commitment to bolstering agricultural production and diversifying crops.

President Wickremesinghe’s budget declaration has already initiated the infusion of contemporary technologies into the agricultural sector, while the establishment of agricultural villages for young entrepreneurs aims to engage the youth in the field. He also said provisions are made for youth access to underutilised State-owned land for agricultural purposes.

De Silva disclosed that the final stages of drafting the National Agriculture Policy are underway, with its imminent presentation to the Cabinet. He expressed optimism about the policy’s potential to significantly advance the agricultural sector.