The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I support the Hon. Rohana Bandara’s Motion. In five minutes, I will focus on one point.

¶ 02 The Motion calls for enhancing State sector involvement in importation and distribution of essential food. We must consider instead how to strengthen the domestic agro-economy rather than import. We can learn lessons about State intervention. For rice, we started a programme for small and medium millers—“Shakthi Sahal”—to distribute to consumers reliably through a national programme of small and medium co-operative mill owners in eight districts, rather than importing and distributing. Rather than who started it, we should examine how the process works and how the private sector should be involved. Hon. Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, we looked at why the Paddy Marketing Board could not do this and why control went to a few hands. We need both large and small millers. How should the State support? The Government expected to store 300,000 MT; facilities were built. But where were even 70,000 MT stored? Currently, perhaps no crisis, but large millers can steer the market. Without Government stocks, needed interventions are hard. How do we keep a buffer stock?

¶ 03 In our social market policy, we gave a big place to the co-operative model—read our blueprint. Rather than the Government doing it alone, involve the private sector. The private sector is not only large millers; every farmer and small miller should be an entrepreneur. Provide opportunities accordingly.

¶ 04 We began in Dambulla the first controlled 5,000 MT agri-cold store complex “Prabashwara” with six chambers managing temperature and humidity—one for onion, another for potato, another for dried chili, together with private partners. We discussed social shares with the Registrar of Companies so farmer organizations could join, and logistics providers too. When Prime Minister Modi visited, he opened it—we have no issue who opens it; it benefits farmers. However, unsorted market remnants from Dambulla cannot be stored there; we need Good Agricultural Practices so produce matches storage requirements. For at least six months, we must educate farmers on how to bring correctly prepared crops to such stores.

¶ 05 Thus, two points: rather than importing rice, support milling of our domestic harvest to supply consumers at fair prices; and implement programmes enabling farmers to store produce to avoid price swings, with State support.

¶ 06 Thank you.