Minister Reginald Cooray reveals plans to develop sector:

Major push for minor export crops

By Uditha KUMARASINGHE

Reginald Cooray is known as a born orator and a politician who is always committed to maintain his unassuming nature in the field of politics.

During his long political career, he has held several key ministerial portfolios in the Government and the Western Provincial Council. At the recent Cabinet reshuffle, he was appointed as Minor Export Crop Promotion Minister. the Sunday Observer interviewed him to ascertain his future plans to develop the country's minor export crop sector.

The Minister said eventhough the prices of some minor export crops are high, farmers have not been able to get the real benefit from it. The Ministry plans to act as a mediator to overcome this problem and provide better price for the farmers who have engaged in the cultivation of minor export crops.

Q: What is the significance of having a separate ministry for minor export crop promotion?

A:Minor crops had been the main source of income of Sinhalese kings. As we know Portuguese and Arabic Muslims came to Sri Lanka in search of these minor export crops. After the invasion of English rulers like Robert Brownrigg, our cultivation patterns were changed and tea, rubber and coconut became the main crops.

Once again priority has been given to develop these crops as a part of the Agriculture Ministry. Nobody can give main attention for this purpose. However, the establishment of this separate Ministry, will help promote these minor export crops. At the moment the prices of these crops are very high. So we can bring lot of foreign exchange and improve the living standards of the people.

Q:What are your plans for this sector in line with Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dekma?

A:The diversification of the economy is needed. When all eggs are in one basket, then what will happen if the basket is broken.

The attention given to these minor export crops would benefit small holders and small cultivators. Normally large scale tea and rubber estates have become a main source of income to our economy. But once again small farmers will become the main income of this country so that they can cultivate a small area of these crops and earn a lot. One of the main aspects of Mahinda Chinthana is to give prominent place to the people in villages by promoting this kind of activities.

Q:What are the prospects for increasing the output and export of crops such as cashew, pepper, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, etc?

A:If we take cashew for an example, earlier there were 40,000 acres of cashew lands in Sri Lanka. This had been reduced to 4,000 acres due to the terrorist activities. There is a big potentiality to extend the cashew cultivation due to moves taken to end terrorism. In addition, our climate, geography and soil are more suitable for these crops. Attention has also been focused to improve the yield of these crops and give a better price for the farmers who have engaged in the cultivation of these minor export crops. Though the traders and exporters are benefitted, farmers are still poor. My intention is to give a better price for the farmers and cultivators. Then they will be motivated to cultivate more and more. If the prices are good, subsidies are not needed.

The lack of labour is another problem faced in this sector. We have not been able to find sufficient labour even for tea and rubber estates. The introduction of more machinery is needed to the agricultural sector. I have an idea to invite all innovators in Sri Lanka to produce more machines and equipment for agricultural purposes.

Q:What are the steps taken to encourage more farmers to cultivate these crops? Is the Government giving any concessions and incentives?

A:Giving concessions has become a habit. We are going to do away with this fashion. If this trend continues, almost all the cultivators and producers will demand subsidies for their production and cultivation. The best thing is to give them a better price for their products. That is the best subsidy we can give them. At present our cinnamon, pepper, vanila and cocoa get a very good price. But the farmers don't get the real benefit from it. We have to function as a mediator to settle this problem like how we do in paddy cultivation. When there is a lower price, the Government intervenes to give a better price to paddy farmers. We have an idea to formulate a spice council and legalise it. At the moment, there is a Spice Council but it is in an advisory capacity without any power. My intention is to empower the spice council to take decisions for the betterment of the industry and the cultivation.

Q:What are the steps being taken to popularise and expand the cultivation of the minor export crops in the North and the East?

A:After the end of the war against terrorists, the people in the North and the South are eagerly waiting development. The Northern and the Eastern people are very industrious, hard working and dedicated farmers. We need to encourage them by giving subsidies, plants and fertiliser to continue their cultivation. Our intention is to go and meet them and find out their problems.

Q: Some of the minor export crops can be grown concurrently with major crops, thus utilising the same space for two different crops. Is this being encouraged by the authorities?

A:Yes. At present this method can be seen in several areas. But that is not sufficient. This cultivation method can be introduced to rubber and coconut cultivation sectors. For that purpose, we have to commence an awareness program to educate the people how they can get more income by cultivating two or three crops in the same land.

Q:The issue of water and irrigation is a major problem for minor export crops as well. There are methods like rainwater collection and drip irrigation which can be utilised in this regard. What are the steps taken to address water issues for minor export crops?

A:At present we can't be satisfied with the prevailing irrigation facilities. We have to provide more irrigation facilities specially for the North and the East. Most of the minor export crops are grown in these areas and we can get a higher yield by introducing the drip irrigation system. Our plan is to assist farmers by giving them many concessions to continue their agricultural activities.

Q:How do you plan to work in coordination with the line Ministry for agriculture as well as Provincial Council Ministries to achieve your aims?

A:This is a gigantic task which cannot be achieved alone by my Ministry. We need coordination and cooperation of other Ministries such as Agriculture, Science and Technology and the institutions such as the Coconut Cultivation Board. At present 400,000 coconut trees have been cut down due to some pesticide disease. Our idea is to introduce minor export crops to those lands. In order to implement that, we need the support of other Ministries. At present the Agriculture Ministry has extended its fullest support towards our programs.

I have held discussions with Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane and we have decided to meet regularly as this is a joint effort. Therefore, all the institutions like Agrarian Services Department, Agriculture Ministry, Coconut Development Board, the Irrigation Department and the departments come under my Ministry have joined hands to take concrete decisions.

Q:Ceylon Tea is an identity, a trademark known all over the world. Do you have any plans to impart a seal of quality and a brand identity to our minor export crops such as well, since we are about the only exporter of crops such as cinnamon? How can we market these products in a more effective way?

A:The exporters have different ideas of this matter. Some exporters say that there should be one brand name. Even for tea, there are so many brands. That is also needed to some sort of extent. Quality control is very important. Before exporting minor crops, they should undergo the examination of SLS control. Then we can assure the quality to the export market.

Q:The budget was passed with a resounding majority in Parliament. What are the most positive aspects of this budget especially for agriculture?

A:The budget has given prominent place to agriculture by allocating a huge amount of money. Through the budget we can see the priority given by the Government to develop the agriculture sector. Several Ministries have also been established such as Coconut Development, Minor Export Crops while there is a separate Ministry for Agriculture. Earlier lands, irrigation and agriculture were together. By appointing several Ministers, their work load will be lesser and that particular Minister can concentrate and his supervisory capacity will be powerful. If a Minister contributes a lot to that Ministry, it will not be a burden to the country and it will be a benefit to the country.

Q:The President has just begun his second term. What kind of progress can the people expect in the next six years as Sri Lanka seeks to become the wonder of Asia?

A:I think that will be achieved definitely. At this moment, people are unhappy over the cost of living. That is natural when a country is going to be developed, the people will have to sacrifice a little. When we plant a seed today, we can't get the harvest. tomorrow. It will take some times. I think Sri Lanka will be a more prosperous country within the next six years period.

Q:Do you think a resurgent UNP under a new leader could pose a challenge to the Government?

A:As we know nothing is permanent in the world. Everything is subjected to be changed.

It depends on the desire and wish of the people. No one can emerge as a leader of his own desire. It is decided by the people.

As long as the Government is able to fulfil the aspirations of the people, it will only be a dream to the UNP to pose a challenge to the Government.

At present there is no progress in the UNP and still they are struggling. Some people looked at the UNP convention as a victory. But it is not a victory for the country or its people. This is only a temporary peace among a group of people. I don't think, this UNP issue will be a main attraction among the people. We will have to wait and see how they work.