The Government will never abandon its organic agriculture policy. It has already been recommended that 30 percent of paddy land be used for organic farming in the next Maha season. Also, steps are being taken to provide quality organic fertilizers to the farmers, said Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.
“It was also decided not to give approval for any type of organic fertilizer without checking the quality. Organic farming is essential for our country. A large number of farmers are engaged in organic farming. Also, steps will be taken to provide a subsidy amount to the farmers engaged in organic cultivation for buying organic fertilizers in the next Maha season. We give farmers the right to choose the organic fertilizer they want. The Government does not force farmers to decide which organic fertilizers to buy,” the Minister said.
The scientific organic agriculture approach introduced by Ven. Siri Samanthabhadra Thera at the Umandawa temple is really a good example for the farmers. We requested him to establish two more successful demonstration scientific organic agriculture projects like Umandawa in Jaffna and Southern Province. The Ven. Thera agreed to this proposal,” Minister Amaraweera said.
The Agriculture Minister said that the Ven. Thera agreed to start those projects with the support of local and foreign countries without spending a single rupee of Government money.
The Minister expressed these views last Friday (5) while participating in the observation of Malsiripura Umandawa Temple organic cultivation.
The Umandawa Temples premises consist of 75 acres and it is unique that every inch of land is cultivated. All types of crops grown in the upland, lowland and dry regions have been cultivated in Umandawa as an environmentally friendly agricultural project, giving priority to Buddhist teachings.
Also, many projects have been implemented there, such as the production of organic fertilizers, insect repellants, as well as obtaining energy through the production of biogas, using cattle management and the waste of those animals.
The Minister of Agriculture, who observed the entire Umanda Temple cultivation area, also appreciated the example set by the Ven. Siri Samanthabhadra Thera to the farmers by effectively applying his knowledge for an agricultural development project as a graduate Monk is praiseworthy.
The Minister further said that the Umandawa Organic Farming Project can be seen as the most perfect eco-friendly organic farming project in this country today. There is no shortage in the cultivated land. Everything related to organic agriculture is there. He agreed to establish two more cultivation projects under this cultivation concept in Jaffna and Southern Province. We are ready to provide the necessary land and other support.
The Umandawa temple is using organic farming, conducting researches on food patterns using local vegetables, fruits, herbs, and introducing their products to the world on Ebay, which would help prevent food wastage and use materials to produce food.
Using new fruits such as Papaya instead of Wheat Flour for preparing Kottu, preparing healthy drinks, preparing dehydrated fruits and vegetables, preparing sausages using Kohila without meat and preparing ice cream using Waraka, Papaya and Mango are some of the innovative ideas and methods which have been introduced.
The Minister said that the Umandawa temple project is truly the most perfect agricultural project in existence in the country today. He also expressed his gratitude on behalf of the government to the Ven. Siri Samanthabhadra Thera for introducing such a project and concept to our country.
