Govt. called on to promote organic food locally

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First-ever livestock and weather index insurance schemes launched
Largest agriculture-based processed food and packaging exhibition open

Sri Lanka needs a systematic process to relay chemical-free food material for the local market to provide for local consumers, an industry expert said yesterday at the opening of the Pro Food Pro Pack & Agbiz 2014 exhibition yesterday. Sri Lanka Food Processors Association President Sunanda Weerasinghe during her address at the opening ceremony emphasised the need to upgrade standards of locally-produced food to ensure safe food for the public.

During her speech, she addressed Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa highlighting the need to implement a systematic process for a chemical free food material for the local market. She further said: “Our agri produce and high value crops are not converted into international quality for our local use.” Weerasinghe emphasised the need of technology such as gamma radiation and nano technology which are revolutionary in order to achieve higher food quality. The exhibition also introduced the concept of livestock insurance to the local market. For the first time in Sri Lanka Sanasa Insurance introduced RFID chips as a cattle identification method. They also initiated the weather index insurance, giving a solution for farmers to cope with unprecedented droughts, which is a major issue currently. Moving forward, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur International Zusammernrbeit (GIZ) Country Director Randa Kouriech said the company is contributing towards the sustainable development of the country. She stressed on the area of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) development, stating one of the purposes of the exhibition was to pave access for SMEs to financial services. This year, Pro Food Pro Pack & Agbiz will cover agriculture, poultry, livestock, floriculture and many more income generating sectors giving an unparalleled opportunity for a meeting place between stakeholders in the long chain of the food industry. Furthermore, the event hosts two separate pavilions for the two of the largest global players in the industry India and China together with exhibitors from Malaysia, Dubai, Singapore and Pakistan, giving a wider scope of opportunity. The exhibition comprises 280 stalls, a slight increase from the 252 stalls the previous year. Special hourly raffle draws, discounts ranging from 20%-60% on food and beverage, a kiddies corner and sampling of food are some of the interesting activities for the public. (SD)