Location: Higurakgoda- Sri Lanka
Language: Sinhala
Duration: 00:05:52
Source: A24
Restrictions: A24 Subscribers
Dateline: 07-03-2022
Storyline:
After the gov’t’s ban on chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides that have taken effect in 2021, the farming sector has been reeling as farmers started complaining about weak turnout and meek harvesting season. Keshara withanage, who is a farmer in Higurakgoda, lamented the new measures, explaining that just to make a meager profit, farmers would have to mortgage their jewelry, homes and property just to get the equipment and tools needed to cultivate a piece of land. He said that the authorities have put in place requirements for farming, as farmers would need to only use organic fertilizers, adding financial strains on the low-income farmers. Sampath abesundara, who is a unionist, said that the poor harvest forced many farmers to abandon farmers because of the low farming turnout, as the harvest season would produce much less because of the gov’t’s new restrictions, adding that farmers must be compensated for their damaged crops to save the industry and avoid a national crisis.
Shots list:
(Soundbite) Sampath abesundara, a unionist:
“We got such a poor harvest. Now we have to choose between farming these crops or abandoning farming; a decision must be taken. The reason for this is the low harvest. We farm about 180 acres. Finding the needed money to harvest these crops is also problematic.”
(Soundbite) Keshara withanage, who is a farmer:
“We farm some 200 acres. We got such inferior paddy spikes. The money needed for these cultivations was found by mortgaging our jewelry, tractors, etc. According to the authorities, such a harvest was obtained only after using organic fertilizers and Nano nitrogen.”
(Soundbite) Ruwan abenayaka, a unionist
“This crisis affected all crops, including tea, coconut, and rubber. The authorities must take responsibility for this. They promised to pay compensation for crop damage. Fulfill those promises now.”
(Soundbite) Nishantha wikkramasinhe, a unionist
“We don’t want allowances. We need compensation for the damaged crops. If it doesn’t happen, the farmers will abandon their cultivation in the next season. Then rice will have to be imported from foreign countries. It will severely affect the dollar crisis in the country.”
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