Agriculture Minister visits Weligama beneficiaries of SADP: A suggestion

By Hemal de Silva

I write in reference to http://www.ft.lk/2013/05/10/agriculture-minister-visits-weligama-beneficiaries-of-sustainable-agricultural-development-project/. To quote the Minister, “Seeing the vast improvements in the lives of SADP beneficiaries is truly encouraging.”  

An independent study on SADP in early 2013 had revealed that a family’s monthly income and a significant improvement in the daily nutritional intake had been achieved. The produce from their home gardens had improved a family’s overall daily nutritional intake with significant increases in protein, vitamin, calcium and iron intake.

Depending on the type or commodity of production, they will consume fruits and vegetables produced in soils that are either not or least polluted with artificial fertiliser and chemicals normally essential to produce agricultural crops. The combination of what is grown and reared ensures a balanced diet in addition to increasing the monetary income. What has been achieved by the ‘Outreach Projects (Guarantee) Ltd.,’ the CSR arm of Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC, is commendable.

To quote the Annual Report of CTC (2012), ‘Project Objective’: “To implement the program amongst 14,000 rural families by 2014 and thereby alleviate poverty among these families in a sustainable manner, through/by:

1.Providing a balanced meal -Improve nutritional intake from 1,429 calories beyond to 2,030 calories per day.

2.Increasing the level of agricultural knowledge.

3.Providing an additional source of income.

4.Female empowerment.

5.Maximum utilisation of land.

Any agricultural project should strive to maximise utilisation of land, increase productivity and income. What is also very important for Sri Lanka is to ‘increase exports and reduce imports’. Tea smallholders produce over 70% of the annual production and that was possible due to assistance given to increase their productivity and that of the land by giving them the incentive of a good price for what they produced, based on the sale average of the factory. Their labour was recognised, appreciated and rewarded.

If the tea smallholders can assist the tea industry in this manner, is there a reason why the smallholder farmers cannot help in developing new export-oriented commodities and produce what can be used as substitutes for imports? This possibility is explained briefly below:

This project (SADP) is reported to, quote, “Touching the lives of 12,000 families in 14 districts with over 44,000 beneficiaries.” The 14 districts include those in the wet, intermediate and dry zones.

Better conservation of soil by planting trees and prevention of soil erosion has been stated to overcome the effects of adverse environmental impact. It is well known how evergreen and perennial trees or tree crops can be beneficial to the environment. If such tree crops can yield an annual income to the small holder farmer, the benefit will be greater.

The greatest benefits will be if the establishment of perennial tree crops can increase exports and reduce imports for the grower, the environment and the country to benefit. This is what is possible by growing the following perennial tree crops in the most suitable region:

1.Pentadesmabutyracea – A perennial, evergreen tree crop more suitable in the wet zone. The vegetable fat, a substitute for cocoa butter, extracted from the seeds is in demand from the cosmetic, food and confectionery industries.

2.Garciniaindica (kokum) – A perennial, evergreen tree crop suitable in the intermediate and dry zones. The vegetable fat, Kokum butter, extracted from the seeds is an approved fat in the production of chocolates. The rind and the pulp of the fruits can be used to produce additional economically valuable products.

    3.Calophylluminophyllum

(S domba) – A fairly common tree crop in SL. The oil extracted from the seeds is suitable for producing biodiesel. Though not a drop of biodiesel is produced locally there are at least two plants, designed and installed by Sri Lankans able to produce 60 litres per day. What is needed is the feedstock.

4.Plukenetiavolubilis (sachainchi) – A perennial creeper that will give the first harvest within one year and thereafter annually. The oil extracted from the seeds has the highest concentration of Omega 3, 6 and 9.  This creeper will supply at low cost a source of essential fatty acid (efa) to the grower. The roasted seed has the taste of peanuts.

The importance of the intake of efa is not emphasised locally. As they are not formed in our bodies, it is necessary to take sources rich in them through the daily diet. Good sources of efa are either not available or too expensive for the majority of Sri Lankans.

Domba is a species well known in SL. The other three species have been introduced. Pentadesma was introduced in 1897, kokum about 25 years ago and sachainchi, recently. All three species growing successfully and in bearing can be seen in Sri Lanka.

Sustainability rests on the principle that the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. A significant improvement in a family’s monthly income and the daily nutritional intake had been achieved. A good foundation should be constructed for the next generation to achieve better results. Being mindful of the environment is one good way of doing so.



(The writer can be reached via [email protected].)