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Last Updated : 2024-04-29 00:02:00
22 December 2023 06:10 am - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Colombo, Dec.22 (Daily Mirror) - In a blow to agricultural development initiatives in Sri Lanka, revelations of mismanagement, corruption and inefficiency have surfaced, impacting both a US $10 million loan earmarked for maize cultivation and a separate US $90 million fund designated for an agriculture modernization project, Daily Mirror learns.
In the instance of a US $ 10 million loan from the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) for the development of maize cultivation has been misused resulting in denial of benefits for eligible farmers, Daily Mirror learns.
Complaints from farmers across the country suggest that certain officials involved in the project may have misappropriated funds by falsifying documents to make it appear as though they were allocated to beneficiaries.
MP D. Weerasinghe who heads the Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on Food Security and Agriculture told Daily Mirror that he ordered the Agriculture Ministry Secretary and the Auditor General to conduct a probe into the case and submit him a report.
“People pinpoint only politicians for misappropriation of funds meant for development. We can only give political leadership. It is unfortunate to seek officials indulging in corruption and malpractices at a time when the whole country wants to revive agriculture,” he said.
Coming up with more details, he said farmers in Anuradhapura, Ampara, Moneragala, Hambantota and Badulla were meant to benefit from this in the current cultivation season. Each selected farmer was entitled to assistance worth Rs.105, 000 in terms of seeds, agriculture fertilizer and allowances for land preparation for cultivation.
“Allegations have emerged involving agriculture officials who have purportedly identified several members of the same family for benefits. However, the assistance package has allegedly been exclusively allocated to only one individual, while the remaining benefits intended for others have been diverted and purportedly sold in the market,” he said.
He said the IFAD assistance was meant for the enhancement of productivity of maize farming in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka totally depended on imports for seed maize in the past.
“Now we produce 10 percent of the local requirement. We are planning to increase it up to 40 percent next year,” he said.
Besides, in a separate case, a US $ 90 million loan for an agriculture modernization project has not been fully utilized during the stipulated five year period triggering fear whether the IFAD will withdraw the unused amount.
Mr. Weerasinghe said only 60 percent of the pledged amount had been used.
“Again, inefficiency of officials is the main reason. Retired government officials have been selected to work on the project. They deliberately delay the project implementation. They have asked for a one year extension of the project. Then, they can keep enjoying benefits in terms of salaries and vehicles,” he said.
Sunil Gamage Friday, 22 December 2023 09:02 AM
Regarding the modernization project. Until our farmers have access to a reliable marketing system, this scenario will remain unattainable. It would be unfair to hold government officials accountable, given that 82% of the farmers engage in farming on a part-time basis. These part-time farmers, who are predominantly smallholders, contribute 80% of our food supply despite facing numerous challenges. Our officials must navigate within this framework. Based on my research, there is a noticeable shift towards cultivating food solely for personal consumption. If this pattern persists, I anticipate that by 2030, almost all farmers will exclusively grow food for their own households. Rice cultivation will be particularly impacted.
Pullma Dingalinga Friday, 22 December 2023 09:04 AM
These are what jails are for ! But with the majority of the Bureaucracy corrupted, there isn’t a snowflakes chance in hell of corruption being eliminated.
Nimal Friday, 22 December 2023 09:19 AM
The Smart Agriculture Project is also equally corrupt. The work on renovating minor reservoirs have been done without any concern for quality and they would breach at the next rainy season.
AG needs to Investigate malpractices Friday, 22 December 2023 10:00 AM
Any comments from PMD Or parliamentarian commissions being arranged for this matter. Most probably, another loan taken to cover up the missing funds and show goes on!
Rony Friday, 22 December 2023 10:12 AM
We have not learned yet...when you invest it have to make a retun on any investment sri lanka got used to sending the cart with cash before the bull.....lol..jaya wewa...
Ram Friday, 22 December 2023 11:41 AM
Corrupt bureaucrats do not spare SL’s agriculture development - They must have had a good training and learnt the game from the corrupt politicians who have bankrupted the country over the years.
Farhad Saturday, 23 December 2023 12:00 PM
It's the reality show how best you can blame other to cover your naked What about the politician who lead path to increase corruption Every program in the field they talk there own survival through dole out something to their henchmen So official who fear their next promotion pension they. Now down without objecticting The practice gone out of hand now. It time for officials to think the straight forward way to do the right thing other official will have pay the mis deeds prompted by politicians Let think in the path development of the Agriculture.
Bandu Friday, 22 December 2023 12:23 PM
Unfortunately Parliamentary Committees are not the best for investigations as the public feels corruption starts at the political leadership level and goes down the line. Further they are toothless but they tend to divert attention away from their misdeeds. So scrap these Committees wasting time and money and appoint a Statutory National Committee of a rep from AGs Dept, Auditor Gens Dep and two other members from Inst of Engineers
Suhada malli Friday, 22 December 2023 02:42 PM
Give a digital officer to each of the 14,700 grama sevakas. Through him or her, educate and encourage all farmers to have a smart phone, and online banking account and get used to cash less digital transactions. Govt must look at making smart phones 100% tax free for agriculture sector at least. all eligibility criteria will be handled via a gramasevaka office digital officer and using a computer app push up to the ministry. That way it will be difficult to have corrupt top officials.
Wiraj Friday, 22 December 2023 03:05 PM
MP Weerasinghe should know better, that it was the politicians who created this corruption culture. The usual practice is to demand money thru the bureaucrats, who in turn make the counter demand from the supplier stating it is for the minister or MP. Of-course a large chunk is pocketed by the bureaucrats also.
NV Jen Friday, 22 December 2023 03:10 PM
It proves we are incapable of governing ourselves, be it the economy, trade, agriculture, finance, health
Amare Friday, 22 December 2023 03:43 PM
Not only in Agriculture, in any Sector where there is money the Bureaucrats will make Hay with the relevant Minister in the background.
Richard McNeil Friday, 22 December 2023 03:57 PM
Do the overseas fund-giving organizations who offer these huge amounts of money to Sri Lanka, actually know where their gift goes? Or do they just believe the locals who accept greedily? Does no one in the first world that third world economics is based on corruption and dishonesty?
Lance Saturday, 23 December 2023 09:30 AM
The paradise been Ruined by all this fellows corruption bribery elegal activities Have already contributed for the Bank crupsy only solution is to get rid of this fellows Quickly But its not easy tomany are in it.....its worse than corona...
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