MONLAR calls on IMF to acknowledge people’s mandate for agrarian reform

The Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR) has said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF), too, must acknowledge the nature of the mandate received by the National People’s Power (NPP) during the presidential election. Chinthaka Rajapakse, the movement’s moderator, told The Island that this mandate was not intended to perpetuate the decades-long injustices and harm caused by neo-liberal policies to the country’s agricultural sector and farming community.

Rajapakse said that the current government has an obligation to address the aspirations of farmers. He added that the IMF should recognise this mandate as a break from previous economic agendas that were enforced by previous governments under instructions from international organisations.

“The production costs for the average farmer have skyrocketed, largely due to reliance on foreign inputs. Additionally, the private sector has monopolised pricing power over farmers’ produce, which must be changed. Fair market control must be given to food producers, including farmers, as well.”

Sri Lanka on one hand promoted export-oriented agriculture while importing significant amounts of food, Rajapakse said. “This is a silly system. The government has acknowledged this in its manifestos. It must slowly establish a system that benefits farmers, the environment, and the economy,” he added.