The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, thank you for this opportunity.

¶ 02 At this moment, with unexpected adverse weather causing loss of many lives and many districts affected, we are debating the Heads of Expenditure of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation. Expressing regret on behalf of the affected people and condolences to the bereaved families, I present my views.

¶ 03 From this morning, many Opposition MPs—as usual—tried to confirm falsehoods. I must correct them. The previous speaker raised issues about the disaster and asked for attention. I think he was not in Parliament this morning. The Hon. President came to Parliament today and discussed with government and opposition members and ministers how to face this emergency together. That Member must not have been here then. He also alleged that the Minister and Deputy Minister blamed farmers who cultivated. That is rejected. We never blamed people for increasing cultivation. As a government we repeatedly invite farmers to cultivate and that we are ready to resolve issues. So do not spread such lies.

¶ 04 Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka, the Chief Organizer of the Opposition, said there were shortages during the past period. I ask, what shortages? There were no shortages this past year.

¶ 05 Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka: There were shortages at times.

¶ 06 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna: Perhaps sometimes; then say it that way.

¶ 07 He also said 10 percent of farmers left cultivation. No. Under the Department of Agrarian Development’s “Back to the Fields” program, we have brought over 50,000 acres of uncultivated land into cultivation. So do not lie.

¶ 08 He said farmers did not get proper prices. The NPP Government, within this year, set guaranteed prices when purchasing paddy: Nadu at Rs. 120 per kilo; Samba at Rs. 125 per kilo for 8 kg; Keeri Samba at Rs. 132 per 8 kg. In the last Yala, 500,000 metric tons of paddy were purchased. You still say we did not set prices? We did and purchased at those prices. We are strengthening the Paddy Marketing Board.

¶ 09 Since last Maha to now, about 22,000 metric tons of green gram were produced. We decided not to import green gram again because we can produce locally. So do not lie.

¶ 10 Hon. Ranjith Madduma Bandara also alleged that 10 percent of farmers left cultivation. For young farmers, we allocated Rs. 500 million, now increased to Rs. 750 million, to foster new hope in agriculture. There can be shortcomings, but we have started. It has only been one year since this Government formed. For 2026, we have allocated Rs. 221,300 million for the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation—of which Rs. 115,828 million is for agricultural development.

¶ 11 We are enabling farmers who toil with the great earth to continue agriculture with confidence. Some in past debates said fertilizer subsidies are delayed. No, Hon. Deputy Speaker. After we came to power, we increased the fertilizer subsidy per hectare from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000—an increase of Rs. 10,000 per hectare—and decided to provide it without delay. Earlier it was given at harvest time or reaping. We took a risk and decided to provide subsidy before cultivation begins, based on sowing calendars and gathering dates, with the Agrarian Development Department intervening, despite many KPN officers’ vacancies. Already, 50-60 percent of funds have been credited to farmers’ bank accounts.

¶ 12 They also said the subsidy is only for paddy. Not true. For the last Yala, for field crops grown on paddy land—maize, onions, or other field crops—we decided to give Rs. 15,000 per hectare. This is from our Government; previous governments did not do this.

¶ 13 Next year, Rs. 36,000 million is allocated for fertilizer subsidies—no small sum. On dairy: Regarding MILCO—Rs. 3,000 million has been allocated next year to start the Badalgama factory. MILCO had collapsed; but its Chairman, Hemajeeva Gothabaya, has revived it. Of Rs. 18,000 million MILCO owed banks, Rs. 14,000 million has been paid this year from profits. Of Rs. 17,000 million owed to farmers, we cleared arrears and now pay farmers on time.

¶ 14 The current President, Comrade Anura Kumara Dissanayake, held this Agriculture portfolio in 2004; within 14 months he lifted the Ministry and shared profits from MILCO with farmers in 2004. After 21 years, again this year, MILCO is profitable and we can provide Rs. 165,000,000 to farmers.

¶ 15 On the National Livestock Development Board (NLDB): The previous government pushed it towards privatization. It owns 32 farms and 28,802 acres. We appointed a good chairman and board; they work dedicatedly. The MILCO Chairman serves voluntarily; the NLDB Chairman also breathes life into it. When we took over, milk production on those farms was about 7,000-8,000 liters; we doubled it to 16,000 liters this year. Is increasing production wrong? Why don’t you see it? We have also cultivated over 1,500 acres of fodder on these farms where earlier not even an acre of manioc was grown, to feed animals.

¶ 16 We are rebuilding the country, not halting it. By 2026, our target is to increase fodder cultivation from 1,500 to 5,000 acres; we are ready. There are 11,000 acres of coconut on these estates; profits are rising.

¶ 17 On the Agricultural Insurance Board: Earlier, compensation took months. Recently, compensation was paid quickly for damages. We have activated it. Next year, Rs. 5,550 million is allocated for the farmers’ pension. Rs. 300 million for food security, and Rs. 10,000 million to maintain a good paddy buffer stock. Those spreading falsehoods on food security should not fear; we have plans.

¶ 18 Hon. Deputy Chairperson: Your time is up.

¶ 19 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna: Please give me one more minute.

¶ 20 We have planned Rs. 1,000 million via Sathosa to purchase farmers’ produce next year. We have engaged with onion, potato, and paddy farmers through the President’s Office to resolve issues and avoid crises next year. We reopened the Dambulla warehouse, allocating Rs. 250 million to maintain stocks so farmers are not pressured.

¶ 21 We believe the NPP Government has taken the livestock sector a step forward. The Department of Animal Production and Health is striving to uplift this fallen sector. Around 400,000 people are engaged in milk production; there are about 1.8 million animals. We are advancing step by step with the Agriculture and Agrarian Services Departments. We ask the Opposition not to spread lies. We allocate funds for the people and move forward. We have allocated Rs. 750 million for young entrepreneurs in agriculture and industry.

¶ 22 We are also increasing yields at village level. As production costs are high, agriculture must be planned to reduce costs. The Department’s “Yaya 500” program is engaging the people on water management, fertilizer use, and other practices to increase productivity.

¶ 23 I conclude by asking the Opposition not to give wrong information. Let’s discuss shortcomings and, together with Parliament, people, farmer organizations, and departments, strengthen the economy of the more than 40 percent engaged in agriculture.

¶ 24 Thank you for the time.