Home sweet home, where good food grows - Editorial

24 September 2012 06:30 pm - 1 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

For centuries agriculture has been the foundation of Sri Lanka’s economy and also a vital part of our hallowed ancient civilisation. The farmer was looked upon as a king, so much so that a famous British writer said that the farmer, when the mud was washed off his back, was fit to be a king. During the past few decades, and more so in recent years, both the farmer and agriculture have been put into a mud hole with priority being given these days to factors such as tourism which is not only variable and vulnerable, but also carries with it vices that could worsen the moral bankruptcy in Sri Lanka.

The unprecedented drought this year devastated or destroyed thousands of acres of paddy and other crops leaving thousands of farmer families as paupers with huge unpaid loans.

During the past few decades the excessive use of agro chemicals has had devastating effects in several districts. The WHO experts and others say about 20,000 people in the rice bowl districts have died of kidney ailments and more than 40,000 others are under treatment largely due to the pollution of the ground water because of the excessive use of agro-chemicals.

Last Monday Jathika Hela Urumaya Parliamentary group leader the Ven. Athureliye Rathna Thera and other monks staged a satyagraha urging the government to stop the excessive use of agro chemicals which are known to contain arsenic and heavy metals.

The situation in the North is believed to be worse. In addition to the excessive use of agro chemicals, the ground water has been further polluted through heavy bombardment and landmine explosions during the 30-year war. Most people in the North are paying about Rs.50 for a bottle of drinking water which is not quality tested and may be from a roadside tap.

The long-term and sustainable solution to the agriculture crisis is to encourage farmers and give them incentives to turn to bio or organic farming. This is a more difficult method, but without doubt it is a better and safer way. The excessive use of agro-chemicals is not only polluting the ground water, but also polluting the rice, vegetables and other items that we eat. That means most of us are eating polluted if not poisoned food, and it may be the reason why many people are falling sick more often, despite the marvels of modern medical technology.

While farmers turn to bio-farming, the government also needs to make people aware of the wisdom in going back to the good old home garden concept. State media organisations, instead of being used for crude and sickening political propaganda, need to be used for more practical purposes to make the people aware that if they want food that is not polluted or poisoned, they need to grow it in their home gardens.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 1

P.L.J.B.Palipana Tuesday, 25 September 2012 09:36 PM

THANKS EDITOR! AN EXCELLENT ARTICLE.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Home sweet home, where good food grows - Editorial

Comments - 1

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

April 15 declared a government holiday

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

MIRROR CRICKET

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

Amir, Wasim return to Pakistan national team

TODAY'S HEADLINES

100 Police personnel trained to target criminals operating on motorbikes

Catholic Church receives full report

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali’s possession of Gota’s Range Rover

We are struggling with severe shortage of staff – Excise Chief

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Security raised for Champions League ties after threat

SLA target four events at Paris Olympic Games

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win