A chat with Duminda Dissanayake, Minister of Agriculture 

Some of our readers will be very interested in getting to know the progress of the present government and the future plans of the ministers. With the endeavour of creating awareness in this regard, Life Online met up with some ministers and asked them a few questions. Their answers will be carried in this weekly column. This week, we speak to Duminda Dissanayake, Minister of Agriculture. 

What is the biggest issue faced by your Ministry? 

We have still not been able to balance the supply and demand of agriculture. This, I would say is the biggest issue faced by this Ministry. For example if the requirement is for 1,000 metric tons, and the farmer produces 150,000 metric tons it is a loss for the farmer and the consumer benefits. In the same way if only 50,000 metric tons are produced the farmer benefits and the consumer suffers. Up to now no government has been able to address this problem. 

This is a longstanding problem. So what do you propose as a solution? 

We have developed a master plan to check the overall demand and then to identify which areas can supply to the demand. This way we can inform the farmer of the requirement. We are in the process of formulating a data base of the farmers and we will keep them updated on the crops that have a demand and the requirement. For the first time in the history we have connected the 559 Divisional Agrarian Secretariats through a network to make all necessary information accessible to the farmers and all relevant authorities though an app in the mobile. Farmers already use smartphones but there is some hesitancy to use this technology for the purpose of accessing information with regard to agriculture. 

Can you explain the ‘VASAVISEN THORA VAGAWAK’ programme that we hear so much of? 

We have to minimise the use of artificial fertiliser and go into more conventional or even new methods. Organic fertiliser which is compost is not the only way. There are new methods of using bacteria etc., to make organic fertilizer which gives a very much higher yield than artificial fertiliser. We will combine new technology and conventional methods to develop the agriculture industry. 

What’s the progress of the Urban Agriculture Development programme? 

When green chillies went up in price the people blamed the government.  Green Chillie is something anyone can grow in a pot even in if they are living in a flat. We have distributed chillie plants to 10,000 flats through our Urban Agriculture Development Programme and also introduced this to the shanty dwellers. We have also formed 25,000 women’s farm organisations comprising 500,000 women. This whole group does home gardening without using artificial fertiliser. If these 500,000 households can implement this concept we have introduced, it will reduce some amount of what they spend to buy vegetables. It’s a great way to save. 

What’s the progress of the Moragahakande and Kaluganga projects? 

These projects will take about 2 years more to complete. We will have massive benefits once these are in operation such as providing water to areas that didn’t have sufficient water for cultivation. With this we can irrigate during both seasons without any problem and also cultivate an additional land area of about 200,000 acres. 

Are you coupling renewable energy with agriculture programmes? 

As a matter of fact, I’m in consultation with the Ministry of Power and Energy regarding this matter. Even now with the regular supply of electricity they have agreed to provide electricity at a nominal rate if water for the irrigation of cultivation is utilised after 10:00PM.  Renewable energy will be useful for water pumps with solar panels to be used for drip irrigation. 

The youth of our country don’t seem to express any interest in agriculture related careers. What do you think will attract them towards this line of work? 

Yes. The youth get attracted to other lines of work and not agriculture. This is because it is only the farming sector that is unsure of their income. The supply and demand chain has to be balanced for the farmers to have the assurance of getting a steady income. If we can give an assurance to the youth that this is an industry which will be an attractive career where you get the opportunity to work directly with nature and also get a steady income through the year, I’m sure there will be quite a number who will want to join. If we want to attract the youth then we have to introduce mechanisation to agriculture. This in turn will reduce the cost of production as less manpower will be utilised when mechanisation is used. This will give the farmer a higher income. We also need to develop a value chain system from the farmer to the consumer where the farmer is assured of selling his produce at a good price.  We have to reduce the wastage due to bad packaging and transportation which is at 40% now and reduce it to at least 5%. 

Can you elaborate on the new insurance scheme that was started by you? 

The new scheme we have introduced is an insurance based on produce. With this new scheme the famer cultivates without fear because whether there is a drought or something else that affects his crop he will still get an income. From the next harvest this system will be implemented. All this time the insurance schemes that were in operation didn’t benefit the farmer. 

What is your plan for fruit cultivation? 

Fruits can be eaten only by rich people due to its cost. Our concept is to increase production so that fruits will not be so expensive and affordable to the general public. We have started this project in 3000 villages where specific fruits will be grown. Our goal is to start this project in 15,000 such villages. We will be distributing fruit plants free of charge to farmers who have access to irrigation. According to our plan, each village will grow only one type of fruit. We brought in this concept as different types of soil will be unique only to certain kinds of fruit. It gives room for trading within the villages which brings about other business opportunities. It takes time for people to see the results of all these things we have implemented. An agriculture revolution cannot be seen instantly. 

What’s happening with your programmes in encouraging the farmers to grow short term crops? 

During the Maha season when there is less water we should only cultivate the required amount of paddy and concentrate on having more crops that need less water like mung. Then the farmer is assured of a steady income. We need to make use of the agriculture land throughout the year and increase productivity. In the North, the farmers are in the field 365 days of the year but the farmers in other areas cultivate only during the two seasons. It’s not easy to get this into the heads of the farmers. I’m the 23rd Minister of Agriculture and we are still trying to do this. But if we all get together and push these systems I think we can do it. A system called the Parachute system was introduced to our farmers 20 years ago but not even 5% of the farmers use this. This is a system where investment is less and produce is high. 

Daily, we see reports that the human elephant conflict is increasing. What do you propose to do in order to protect the farmer and agriculture? 

This is a highly complex situation. It is true that the elephant has to be protected as it is a national treasure. In the same way the farmer also has to be considered a treasure of the country and protected. With the increase of population and urbanisation this conflict is inevitable. This is not a problem that can be solved by one minister in a short period of time. It requires a collective commitment by the whole government as well as the public. It can be solved if a colossal amount is invested on providing the right environment conducive for the elephant as well as the farmer.