Government and TAMAP present Overarching Agricultural Policy

Friday, 5 November 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

State Minister of Ornamental Fish, Inland Fish and Prawn Farming, Fishery Harbour Development, Multi-Day Fishing Activities and Fish Exports Kanchana Wijesekera, Ministry of Agriculture Secretary Prof. Udith Jayasinghe Mudalige, Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Minister of Plantation Ramesh Pathirana

The Government of Sri Lanka developed the Overarching Agricultural Policy (OAP) under the guidance of the National Planning Department and the Ministry of Agriculture with support (and funding) provided by the European Union through the Technical Assistance to Modernisation of Agriculture Programme (TAMAP).

The aim of the OAP is to promote food and nutrition security and (while raising the standard of living) to raise living standards of people involved in agriculture through value addition and improved competitiveness of the sector, while ensuring sustainable use of natural resources. This is strategically aligned with the national vision outlined in the ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ transforming Sri Lanka into a “people-centric economy”.

The final draft of the OAP was presented to stakeholders at (workshop held recently) the recent workshop held at Waters Edge on 27 October. The workshop was convened by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Agriculture Secretary Snr. Prof. Udith Jayasinghe Mudalige inaugurated the meeting and IPS Senior Research Fellow Dr. Manoj Thibbotuwawa presented highlights of the policy. Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Minister of Plantation Ramesh Pathirana and State Minister of Fisheries Kanchana Wijesekera were present. European Union Head of Delegation Denis Chaibi delivered closing remarks.

Participants from the ministries and state ministries contributed to the discussion with their views, suggestions, and recommendation for the way forward. Amongst them were representatives from ministries covering crops, animal husbandry, fisheries and aquaculture, plantation, irrigation, land, and environment.