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| Sunday, 4 December 2005 |
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Assn pledges support to export fruits and vegetables by Surekha Galagoda Sri Lanka can export exclusive fruits and vegetables to India and China if we have a permanent presence, said President, Sri Lanka Fruit and Vegetable Producers, Processors and Exporters Association (SLFVPPEA) Sarath de Silva. He said that opening offices, tying up with supermarkets and restaurants will help our country to export the products and earn foreign exchange. De Silva said that the new government will need the fullest cooperation of the private sector to execute their plans. Therefore the SLFVPPEA is ready to share our 25 years experience with the government. He said taking the development initiatives to the provinces will help uplift the income level of the masses, while finding gainful employment to Samurdhi recipients. "We are aware that the farmers need guidance on what agricultural produce to grow to escape the subsistence living system." At present our sector exports Rs. 3 billion worth of goods annually while in the short-term we could double it to bring in Rs. 6 billion in foreign exchange. De Silva said that during the last 25 years the Association has done the job of the Department of Agriculture for our growers to achieve international standards by protecting the water resource, replacing flood irrigation and the introduction of drip and sprinkler irrigation which has contributed to reduce water of this valuable resource.Even the nurseries are very advanced today compared to earlier days. He said that pre and post-harvest losses amount to more than 40% and with the intervention of the association it has reduced at least by 10%. At present the farmers grow fruits and vegetables with a forward sales contract as we don't permit them to grow without a contract as this is also one reason for post harvest losses, De Silva said. Polytunnels have helped farmers in the hill country and the central plains grow their produce without being restricted by weather conditions. He said that a budget proposal of 2005 to set up model farms in the provinces is at present held up at the EDB. All the members in the SLFVPPEA have submissed proposals and once these farms are set up they will also become centres for outgrowers. |
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