Niche market awaits Lanka's quality rice

by Afreeha Jawad

B’onion seed production in progress at Pelvehera

Whatever be the allergies some quarters entertain as regards privatisation - certainly the resultant benefits of such innovation cannot be overlooked - an exemplary case in hand being the telecommunication services - a once ailing colossus now turned productive giant.

The railway surely should get top priority in this privatisation endeavour if national productivity and development is state target not to forget agriculture as well.

Dr. Sumith Abeysiriwardena of ICI, formerly of Bathalagoda Rice Research and Development Institute substantiates his argument in favour of agricultural privatisation admittedly to the public sector's constant concern over feeding the rising millions overlooking quality which lacuna could be filled by the private sector.

Feeding the populace alone would not suffice because of the danger that follows in consuming rice of less nutritional value.

"This is not to say the marketed rice is of substandard. But we could develop it and give the people a better deal", he said.

Currently a niche market prevails in Germany, UK and Middle East for high quality rice - long grained, slender, soft, aromatic and palatable akin to Basmati. Even the local small grain if soft, aromatic and palatable stands a good chance in these markets for which purpose specific varieties should be grown.

Significantly the private sector's contribution here goes without saying. Even in value added products private sector involvement should not be overlooked.

The public sector has taken gigantic strides in the generation of technology in rice production, processing and value addition. These technologies ironically are much to private sector benefit where it is being exploited heavily to manufacture value added products.

The noodles, rice noodles, hopper, string hopper flour that is currently being consumed is thanks to private sector participation. Today around four or five private companies are doing well in these value added products.

Still the potential is there to bring in more value addition. For instance extracting oil from rice bran, making rice flakes and rice bran cakes is yet to be explored. Already the institute of post harvest technology at Anuradhapura has invented a machine to make rice flakes. Even though small it could be a springboard to large industrial ventures.

So what is most needed is a hybrid of private sector and public sector participation to improve the rice industry. The small scale private sector alone wouldn't do. It should be the private corporate ventures which could bring in enhanced results.

Besides high quality rice and value addition to rice Dr. Abeysiriwardena emphasized on the need for self-sufficiency in B'onions.

The country's annual consumption of B'onions is 160,000 metric tons of which 60,000 metric tons are produced locally while the rest is imported. The lack of seed material is a big snag in producing even this 60,000 metric tons.

A lion share of the 32,000 metric tons B'onion seeds needed to produce this 60,000 somehow finds its way into the country from India", said Dr. Abeysiriwardena laughingly, leaving one to understand the positive side to what the law has failed to have a hold on.

Anyway the country stands to gain. You see its much better than smuggling in heroin," he said guffawing in fits of laughter hastening to add the act itself bearing its omissions and commissions. But the danger lies here.

These sub standard seeds are of an unidentified variety, poorly germinated and risks even a harvest what with no bulb development. Despite all the shortcomings these smuggled seeds carry, we have produced an annual 6,000 metric tons annually.

But we cannot be taking that risk all the time for the risks involved in that 32,000 far outweighs the crop guarantee following 20,000 metric tons high quality seeds which is the real requirement. But high quality is a must", he reiterated.

An on going project in this connection at Matale - a CIC/ADB joint venture will harvest 16 metric tons B'onion seeds per acre as against the only 8 metric tons per acre coming off substandard seeds allaying farmer fears not to forget consumer relief as well.

Significantly, Anuradhapura's Institute of Post Harvest Technology and the Information Technology Institute - both reputed for technological advancement has attracted only some in the private sector.

For instance in trades devoid of competition coming off foreign products like rice noodles and Samaposha local investors have taken to such technology in a big way.

However in the case of rice flakes local industrialists harbour reluctance because of the varied brands of imported corn flakes available aplenty.

Dr. Abeysiriwardena emphasized the need of a favourable government policy towards the private sector to lure them into ventures - a boon to national growth.

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