Bureaucratic barriers in the plantation sector will be removed through new legislation – President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe outlined his commitment to propel the nation’s economic progress by spearheading a shift from the traditional plantation Industries to a burgeoning agricultural enterprise. He emphasized the removal of bureaucratic barriers through new legislation and the implementation of advanced managerial practices in the plantation sector.

Speaking at the opening of the National Institute of Plantation Management’s new academic and administrative complex in Athurugiriya this morning (14), President Wickremesinghe highlighted the institute’s pivotal role in equipping graduates with contemporary skills essential for the plantation industries’s modernization. The facility, boasting research laboratories, lecture halls, computer labs, career guidance centres and will also feature a centre harnessing AI and GIS technologies.

The construction of this state-of-the-art facility, at a cost of Rs. 750 million, signifies a substantial investment in the nation’s agricultural education infrastructure.

Expressing his views further President Ranil Wickremesinghe further said;

“Presently, our focus lies in the modernization of agriculture and the establishment of robust export-oriented agricultural Industries. Historically, tea, rubber, and coconut have been the cornerstone of our export crops. However, following the exodus of colonial powers, they replicated our plantations in Kenya for tea production, posing formidable competition. Similarly, the cultivation of rubber in Vietnam presents additional challenges, necessitating a transformation within the plantation sector to effectively compete in the global market.

What our nation requires now is not merely traditional plantations, but a shift towards agribusiness. Converting our estates into modern agribusiness entities and enhancing production are imperative. It’s essential to focus on the development of tea and rubber cultivation and secure markets for these products. The tea Industries has already witnessed diversification, with numerous companies flourishing in this sector.

Furthermore, revitalizing traditional crop cultivation, including cocoa, cinnamon, and other spices, is essential. The eradication of rural poverty hinges upon agricultural development. To this end, we have devised plans to leverage existing crops and land while cultivating 500,000 acres of new land. Achieving this vision necessitates the adoption of modern agricultural practices and the promotion of agribusiness. Agriculture must emerge as a leading export sector in our nation’s economy”.

(PMD)