Instead of Ape Wawamu Rata Nagimu what we have is ministers lining their pockets by resorting to importing coconuts, eggs, rice, chicken and what not. All they have is the unabashed gaul with tooth-paste smiles to say “the CoL went up and shortages followed due to the weather, the world market, shortages in one country or the other”
by I. S. Senguttuvan
(March 17, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) It does not require the services of a rocket scientist to identify the single or major cause of the decline and division of the country since Independence. If a census is held – without the suspect hand of the Election Commissioner soiling it, it will simply be our unprincipled politicians. From more than a single governing party – I hasten to add.. Their interest has primarily been to fatten themselves and their immediate families and friends – without exception. The larger number of people around the country are unanimous in this view. But they are unable to save them from it. That is one of the serious drawbacks in the democratic system – more specifically in the developing countries.
Agricultural activity is often said to be one of the more important building blocks in Nation Building. Self-sufficiency and food security secured through a well managed agricultural Policy has no substitute in good governance. And, on the same breath, if you are looking for the causes of bad and destructive governance it surely must be the kind of counter-productive and inconsistent agricultural policy we have had since the late 1940s. I am one of those who had written publicly warning different regimes to be sensitive to the Cost of Living issue – but mine was once more voice in the wilderness. I wrote in length in the matter because I have been engaged in the Import-Export business of Agricultural Commodities for over 35 years. I have also been an intermediary to the two major State importers of essential foodstuffs from 1965-2008. This permits me to claim some knowledge in the trade where the CoL can be managed.
It is amusing to see this regime now talking of growing our own essentials very much late in the day. That they have failed miserably despite having nearly a hundred ministers is legendary. There are more than a single Minister handling the same function in several areas. One was being laughed at by the public when he was personally there in the morning handing out Coconuts at Rs.30. The man and the coconuts went into hiding after 3 days. All square pegs in round holes.
Instead of Ape Wawamu Rata Nagimu what we have is ministers lining their pockets by resorting to importing coconuts, eggs, rice, chicken and what not. All they have is the unabashed gaul with tooth-paste smiles to say “the CoL went up and shortages followed due to the weather, the world market, shortages in one country or the other”
While there were shortages of essential items in the kithchen there was no shortages i n excuses in these Mercedes-cruising worthies. A wag even went to suggest we should have a Minister for Excuses in the Cabinet. What a motley group of inefficient nimcompoops?
What the people of the country – North, South, East and West – must realize is the right steps taken by our previous leaders were all sacrificed in the altar of divisive politics. When I was around ten I remember the Kotelawala Govt launched a “Grow More Food Campaign” Even in Colombo we were given seeds free encouraging us to grow Green Chillies, Bandakka, Brinjals, Tomatoes and other items used daily in the kitchen. Our parents asked us to join them in the endeavour and we were able to see all these in our own little plots at home. It must have been much more outside the Metropolis. With the change of the political landscape in 1956 the emphasis was forgotten. Dudley Senanayake, a man fond of Agriculture and determined to make the country self-sufficient in food, achieved considerable efforts during his 1965-1970 period with the hard-working MD Banda. He offered tax concessions to the private sector. Many private firms like Jafferjees, Shanmugams invested and developed the growing of Chillies and Vegetables in the Hambantota and Vavuniya areas and made this a tremendous success in those times where import-substitution was in the lips of most economists. The defeat of the Dudley Senanayake government and the increasing influence of the JVP in the area destroyed this useful effort. Under the guise of anti-Indianism and anti-Capitalism these farms were attacked and taken over. The entire good effort was killed and the country went under several internal turmoil during the term of Mrs B.
I dare say if both endeavours were continued with successive governments investing more and assisting the private enterprenauers and villagers more, we probably would be both self-sufficient and perhaps in a positon to gain much export income too.
At least now the regime should come out with a White Paper on Agricultural policy on Subsidiary Foodstuffs and Vegetables. A team of University academics,
Agriculture experts should be encouraged to come out with a 10 year Plan that should be outside political interference. They should be free of interference in the event of regime changes. The State must provide the necessary funds.There is no reason at all why we should fail if done well. I am confident the World Bank, IMF, ADB and other agencies will willingly encourage such an effort.
A good example to follow is that of Indian Agriculture Minister C. Subramaniam, credited with India’s success in self-sufficiency. He gathered the expertise of men like
Food scientist Swaminathan and ushered in India’s Green Revolution. Some of these experts are in record of stating with Sri Lanka's climatic advantage and generous rainfals the country can be made a show-case of success. I am sure India will be pleased to offer their fullest assistance if we launch a serious programme of
Self-sufficiency in Subsidiary foodstuffs and Vegetables.
Post a Comment