R&D insufficient to develop agriculture

Research and development which is around 0.17 per cent is totally insufficient to develop the agricultural sector in the country, said Chairman, CIC Agribusinesses, B. R. L. Fernando.

He was addressing a ceremony to award the HACCP Certification for Juiceez and Fresheez health drinks of CIC Agribusinesses.

Fernando said the agricultural sector loses around 40-50 per cent of its production due to the post harvest loss. Adequate investment and research is needed to reduce waste and develop commercially viable crops.

"Today the number of people involved in agriculture is dropping due to the wide scope in other sectors.

Agriculture remains the heart of Sri Lanka's economy despite low productivity, poor infrastructure in rural areas and a spate of natural and man made disasters", he said.

Food security has become a hot debate due to the shift of focus from grain production to manufacture of ethanol. Large acres of farm land have been converted to cultivate sugarcane for bio-fuel. A balance has to be maintained to ensure global food security.

Fernando said everything cannot be produced in the country.

While we need to promote local food products input from other countries is essential to develop food production.

In keeping with the commitment to help farmers and the local community the company opened fruit and vegetable outlets to supply quality farm-fresh fruits and vegetables to consumers.

"Though there is global attention on food security the quality of food is not addressed adequately.

The drop in the quality of food poses a serious threat to health", he said.

FITZ, a health drink of CIC Agribusinesses is a combination of avocado, soya milk and veralu (local olive).

The drink helps to reduce the cholesterol level.Chief Operating Officer, CIC Agribusinesses, Samantha Ranatunga said the HACCP certification assures quality and safety to consumers.

LF