Exhibition to boost sector:

Opening of North and East augurs well for agriculture

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

The opening of the North and East areas for economic activities will expand the agricultural markets tremendously following the defeat of terrorism. The farmers in the North and East that contributed to a bumper harvest prior to the 1980s can look forward to a good future, Past President of the Sri Lanka Food Processors Association, Mario Alwis said. He was addressing a media briefing in connection with the Profoods/Propack 2010 exhibition scheduled to be held at the BMICH from August 20-22, 2010.

More than 1000 new products and services will be on display at the exhibition. Exhibitors from the North and East are also expected to participate.

He said there are signs of economic growth after three decades, following the ending of the war. Even during worse times, the country showed resilience and did not suffer too badly. Referring to tourism, he said the country could attract five million tourist arrivals instead of the two million as projected, provided we have more airline connections and additional room capacity to cater to these large numbers.

He said the road network throughout the country has to be further improved for transportation of perishable commodities such as vegetables and fruit. "If we are to transport vegetables and fruits on a bumpy road for more than five hours, we end up with mashed produce. Most small-scale industries are located in faraway places," he said.

Profoods/Propack 2010, the agribusiness, food processing and packaging exhibition, will showcase diversified local products and services available in the country. The exhibition has been organised as a public-private partnership with the Ministry of Industrial Development and Ministry of Agriculture Development.

Rohan de Fonseka, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Food Processors Association said the exhibition will give an opportunity for producers to launch their products in the market.

Even universities have been given an opportunity to interact with producers at the exhibition.

Farmers too will have an opportunity to meet producers at the Agri Business Council to understand the market needs.

Secretary to the Ministry of Industrial Development, R.V.D. Piyatilleka said the food producing sector was given several tax incentives in the past to encourage food production to uplift the living standards of the farmer community, although tax concessions were not afforded to any other industry. The tax concession was granted prior to the ending of hostilities.

The Government has provided several relief measures to the farmer community.