Waste of perishables during ‘lockdown’

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha de Silva says substantial waste of vegetables due to the ‘lockdown’ imposed last Thursday night, to control the spread of the raging Covid-19 pandemic, could have been avoided if the incumbent government had completed the construction of Sri Lanka’s first temperature and humidity controlled warehouse complex for perishables,  at Dambulla, launched in April 2019.

The change of government, in Nov 2019 following the presidential election, had adversely impacted the project, the former UNP non-Cabinet Minister said, adding that he had requested Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane to expedite the project as it benefited the farmer community.

The previous government undertook the construction of the warehouse complex capable of storing 5,000 metric tonnes of vegetables and fruits. The then Economic Reforms and Public Distribution Minister de Silva and Indian Deputy High Commissioner Dr. Shilpak N. Ambule initiated the project on land adjoining the Dambulla Economic Centre.

At the time of the launch, the government announced the agro cold storage complex was to be constructed with Rs 300 mn Indian financial grant and completed within six months. It was reported that the facility would consist of six separated sections of different temperature and humidity levels. The government intended to provide farmers an opportunity to store their excess harvest or in case of an emergency at a concessionary price.

Dr. de Silva said that the country couldn’t allow post-harvest losses and waste to continue not only during peak season but during emergency situations as well. The recent reportage of massive waste of vegetables and fruits due to the lockdown was shocking, the MP said, the failure to finish such a farmer friendly project couldn’t be justified under any circumstances.

The previous government planned similar agro-storage complexes at Keppetipola covering the Central Province, Jaffna covering the Northern Province, Embilipitiya covering the Southern Province.

MP de Silva said that when he pointed out the failure on the part of this government to address the issue, SLPP supporters questioned the rationale in my criticism demanding to know what the previous administration did in that regard. The former UNPer said that the Dambulla, project located in a three-and-half-acre land adjoining the Dambulla Economic Center was meant to revolutionize the food storing strategy.  The MP said the government shouldn’t have played politics with the Dambulla project.

Lawmaker de Silva said that the contentious issue of post-harvest losses had been discussed both in and outside Parliament. Leaving aside serious shortcomings in the government’s Covid-19 response, the top SJB spokesperson said that addressing the country’s requirement for proper facilities to store perishables should be met. The ongoing epidemic deteriorated the situation, the MP said, pointing out the country lacked required basic facilities to store excess harvest.

 Meanwhile, Matale District SJB MP and Dr. de Silva’s colleague, Rohini Kaviratne, flayed the government over the crisis caused by the farmers’ failure to sell large stocks of vegetables brought to the Dambulla Economic Centre. MP Kaviratne told The Island that having requested the farmers to bring their harvest there, the government imposed travel restrictions thereby preventing buyers coming to the Dambulla Economic centre. According to her, 2.6 mn kilos of perishables had been brought and allowed to go waste. The former UNP MP alleged that a certain politician and some businessmen manipulated the entire process for their benefit.

Dr. de Silva said that in addition to the Indian grant, his own Ministry provided Rs 225 million and proceeded with the project regardless of severe objections. Responding to another query, he said some objected to the project as it was meant to free the farming community from the clutches of the middlemen who brazenly exploited those who toiled in the fields.’

The project suffered a major setback in the wake of the declaration of 2019 presidential polls. “Overnight, the situation changed. Inordinate delays caused a chaotic situation,” the former Minister said, appreciating an opportunity given to him by Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane to brief ministry officials of the Dambulla project as well as overall plans in that regard.

MP de Silva said that they adopted novel construction methods to control expenditure as conventional building of the structure would have cost as much Rs 1 bn. According to the SJB MP, the government should give priority to the Dambulla project and ensure the implementation of the original plan. If it was simply placed under ‘Sathosa’ the government couldn’t achieve the original objectives to make the farming community part of the decision-making process in a bid to give them a say in their own affairs.