One important fact we have not emphasised adequately is that no one opposes the Government’s decision to go organic; as a matter of fact, the public, the Opposition, the civil society, farmers groups, and even international agricultural experts, support this idea. The opposition Sri Lanka saw almost every day since the Government announced its decision was against the poorly-planned implementation of this initiative, not against its objectives.
The opposition keeps rising, and it has worsened to the point where even those representing the Government have now come forward criticising this initiative and demanding that the Government put it on hold for the greater good. Batik, Handloom, and Local Apparel Products State Minister and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara, on 12 October, raised these concerns, claiming that it is not practical to adapt to the use of organic fertiliser within one season. He also urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to re-establish the use of chemical fertilisers, and to, at the very least, allow the use of 50% of chemical fertilisers and 50% of organic fertilisers, in order to prevent a drop in yield. Also, a group of about 40 ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarians requested an opportunity to meet with the President to discuss the programme to supply fertiliser to farmers.
These concerns are not new. The difference is, members representing the Government have now joined the group of individuals and organisations who keep reminding the Government of the obvious and grave repercussions that this ill conceived, but valuable plan, would cause. Instead of responding to those who oppose this decision with the intention of protecting the Government’s decision, perhaps, it is time to look at how to go organic the right way, before it is too late.
First and foremost, Sri Lanka has to come to terms with the fact that the country being desperate to save foreign reserves does not warrant a short sighted plan that can affect the entire country. No science endorses the idea of launching a national programme with no baseline study, a phased out approach and a pilot project, and also a proper discourse with the main stakeholders, who, in this case, are the farmers. Also, it is common sense that when such a mammoth programme is being planned, a nation does not risk all important crops it has, and that is why a pilot programme focusing on relatively less important crops is required before extending the organic fertiliser programme to other crops such as export crops.
Therefore, before these hasty decisions cause irreversible damage, the Government should consider what it promised through the “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” policy document, which says that promoting and popularising organic agriculture is a 10-year programme. The country may not be able to wait for 10 years due to the urgent need of using foreign reserves sparingly; however, we can see more than enough reasons to understand that going 100% organic is certainly not an objective that can be achieved within a year or two.
For the nation’s future, perhaps the Government and also other concerned parties should forget politics for a bit, and see the problem for what it is. It is extremely important that the Government realise that this opposition is not against the Government, but the short sightedness of the organic fertiliser programme, and when even those representing the Government oppose it, it is a clear sign that something is seriously wrong.
Therefore, the Government should forget about its pride, and revise or rescind, for the time being, the organic fertiliser plan. Otherwise, the stubborn implementation of this programme would create an environment where even a highly beneficial, well-planned programme in the future does not receive the public’s support. Going organic is a necessity Sri Lanka and the entire world will have to pay attention to at some point. What happens when the Government tries to force on the people an organic fertiliser programme that has no concrete steps but an objective, is that people will always have a doubt about similar programmes in the future.
It is not too hard to understand that putting on hold an ill-conceived plan does far less harm than continuing such a plan until it causes irreversible damages.Organic haste a recipe for disaster
13 Oct 2021
Organic haste a recipe for disaster
13 Oct 2021
One important fact we have not emphasised adequately is that no one opposes the Government’s decision to go organic; as a matter of fact, the public, the Opposition, the civil society, farmers groups, and even international agricultural experts, support this idea. The opposition Sri Lanka saw almost every day since the Government announced its decision was against the poorly-planned implementation of this initiative, not against its objectives.
The opposition keeps rising, and it has worsened to the point where even those representing the Government have now come forward criticising this initiative and demanding that the Government put it on hold for the greater good. Batik, Handloom, and Local Apparel Products State Minister and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara, on 12 October, raised these concerns, claiming that it is not practical to adapt to the use of organic fertiliser within one season. He also urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to re-establish the use of chemical fertilisers, and to, at the very least, allow the use of 50% of chemical fertilisers and 50% of organic fertilisers, in order to prevent a drop in yield. Also, a group of about 40 ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarians requested an opportunity to meet with the President to discuss the programme to supply fertiliser to farmers.
These concerns are not new. The difference is, members representing the Government have now joined the group of individuals and organisations who keep reminding the Government of the obvious and grave repercussions that this ill conceived, but valuable plan, would cause. Instead of responding to those who oppose this decision with the intention of protecting the Government’s decision, perhaps, it is time to look at how to go organic the right way, before it is too late.
First and foremost, Sri Lanka has to come to terms with the fact that the country being desperate to save foreign reserves does not warrant a short sighted plan that can affect the entire country. No science endorses the idea of launching a national programme with no baseline study, a phased out approach and a pilot project, and also a proper discourse with the main stakeholders, who, in this case, are the farmers. Also, it is common sense that when such a mammoth programme is being planned, a nation does not risk all important crops it has, and that is why a pilot programme focusing on relatively less important crops is required before extending the organic fertiliser programme to other crops such as export crops.
Therefore, before these hasty decisions cause irreversible damage, the Government should consider what it promised through the “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” policy document, which says that promoting and popularising organic agriculture is a 10-year programme. The country may not be able to wait for 10 years due to the urgent need of using foreign reserves sparingly; however, we can see more than enough reasons to understand that going 100% organic is certainly not an objective that can be achieved within a year or two.
For the nation’s future, perhaps the Government and also other concerned parties should forget politics for a bit, and see the problem for what it is. It is extremely important that the Government realise that this opposition is not against the Government, but the short sightedness of the organic fertiliser programme, and when even those representing the Government oppose it, it is a clear sign that something is seriously wrong.
Therefore, the Government should forget about its pride, and revise or rescind, for the time being, the organic fertiliser plan. Otherwise, the stubborn implementation of this programme would create an environment where even a highly beneficial, well-planned programme in the future does not receive the public’s support. Going organic is a necessity Sri Lanka and the entire world will have to pay attention to at some point. What happens when the Government tries to force on the people an organic fertiliser programme that has no concrete steps but an objective, is that people will always have a doubt about similar programmes in the future.
It is not too hard to understand that putting on hold an ill-conceived plan does far less harm than continuing such a plan until it causes irreversible damages.Kapruka
Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!
Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!