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Self reliance on foodBen Silva UKNumber of articles have appeared in the media about the increase in
of cost of food and the importation of rice. This article deals with
the need to have self reliance on food and the means to achieve it. Food, shelter and water belong to the basic needs of humans. We had a time span of 60 years after independence, to device and implement a system to prevent Sri Lankans from starvation and for Sri Lanka to be on their own two feet on food. Surely it is time that we produced a system, that prevent its citizens from starvation and malnutrition and enable Sri Lanka to be self reliant on food. As the situation in Sri Lanka can be adversely affected by external factors, outside Sri Lanka, it is vital that Sri Lankans do not live like frogs in a well, but rather take the trouble to educate themselves about conditions, situations and events occurring outside Sri Lanka. It is also vital that we learn from past events and situations, such as how other countries reacted during wars. We need to escape from being trapped in a time zone but learn to evolve. Our survival depends on being able to adapt and being able to respond to threats, which includes possible food shortages. Food prices Money supply is not easy for the Government to control as there are
tourists and workers in foreign countries that bring in money to the
country. Let us see what could be done. The obvious thing is to increase the production. The Government has to produce policies and use levers that will produce economic forces to increase production. Increase in the price of a commodity would be a motivator for more producers to get into the market. More production, in theory would lead to a reduction in price. However, we need to bear in mind that energy and transportation costs would increase and local food production would be beneficial. Some of the levers that can be used are given below. 2. Advisory bodies to farmers on farm management, efficiency, rotation of crops, improving production, , compose and fertilizers, food storage, improving productivity, money management, marketing etc. 3. Improving village infrastructure, geared to food production and distribution. 4. Forming Colleges devoted to agriculture to disseminate knowledge related to agriculture. 5. Forming Government owned limited companies for foods production,
that should operate at a profit. 7. Govt. land could be given on lease on a nominal charge to individuals as allotments, so that individuals could grow their own food. 8. Use import duty as a lever. Sri Lankans need to learn to be competitive and corporative at the same time, depending on the circumstances. By being more efficient and productive, cost advantages may be obtained. 9. Individual families could grow vegetables in any free space available in their gardens. This was done in UK during the war. Sri Lanka is in a war situation now and should be put on a war footing, bearing in mind the impact on the tourist industry. 10. Increase fishing along the coast. 11. Make use of the security forces to engage in Agriculture and fishing so that they become self reliant on food. Whilst fishing, Naval forces could engage in surveillance. Not only will it give the security forces, additional skills that they could use in civilian life, they could save money as well. I believe Israeli security forces engage in agriculture. 12. Provide loans, provide insurance against loss of crops as levers to increase food production. We have to be careful with subsidies as it would be open to corruption and I am not in favor of providing 'free money'. 13. Asian countries need to think of policies so that ASIA is able to feed its people. 14. Reservoirs and rivers could be populated with fish that would supplement
the diet of people. 16. Guarantee a minimum price to producers, impose import tariffs and quotas on certain goods from abroad and provide a direct subsidy payment for cultivated land.
A good agricultural policy and a fishing policy would ensures that farming, fishing and preservation of the environment go hand in hand. Good policies help to develop the economic and social fabric of rural communities. It plays a vital role in confronting new challenges such as climate change, water management, bioenergy and biodiversity and provide useful employment to many. An intake of 5 portions of fruits/vegetables a day is recommended for healthy living. An intake of green such as spinach, cabbage, leeks and beans would be beneficial for the general health, including beneficial effects for eye sight. A good intake of oily fish, containing omega3 fatty acids, at least three times a week is essential for the mental development of our society and I hope politicians and the ordinary people make a note of this. EU agricultural policy initially dealt with overcoming food shortages. Lessons could be learnt from their experience. Now their policy has evolved to cover all forms of food from crops and livestock to fruit and vegetables, to be able EU to stand on their own feet. RW instead of beating drums, should study at least the basics of economics. One cannot expect the Government to do everything. Government however need to provide good policies and levers. People must learn to get off their back sides, on their bikes and take initiatives and solve problems, instead of expecting someone else to solve the problem for them. People must learn to look at a problem as an opportunity and learn to benefit from the situation. To reduce the demand side, monitoring and controlling the human population in Sri Lanka need to be considered. The world population is also increasing. Providing food for the population may be a difficult task. This issue ought to be thought at UN level. In my view is that basics of economics and business should be taught at school and also adequate coverage should be provided in the media, so that people would know what determines the price of a commodity and what could be done about it. Developing self reliance attitude would bring in benefit to a person, in terms of self management. Sri Lanka should be for all its citizens and we should learn to live like members of a family and I would like to say a firm no to Tamil racism promoted by LTTE. It is essential that Sri Lanka be self reliant on defence and food. References 1. http://europa.eu/pol/agr/index_en.htm
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