Several Deans of Faculties of Agriculture of state Universities has written to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on steps that should be taken to minimize impact on the national food security during post-COVID-19 era.
While congratulating steps and strategies adopted to minimize the impact of Covid-19 on human lives and livelihood of Sri Lanka they highlight that the disturbances experienced in the food supply chains are critical and will affect the post-COVID-19 era, as the basic food need is a major concern of every citizen of the country.
This letter to you, provides recommendations to be implemented with a view to improve the efficiency of food supply chains, and specific intervention for vegetable supply chain, after assessing the potential short and medium term challenges in the food delivery system amidst the actions taken to combat the pandemic.
(1)Recommendations to improve all Food Supply Chains (to be implemented by July 31, 2020):
1.Food production system (to be implemented by May 31, 2020)
a.Initiate a well-coordinated seeds and planting material production program during Yala season (2020) for the priority crops targeting the cultivation in the next Maha season (2020/2021) using all Government and University farms, private sector and farmers
b.Support infusion of new technologies/technological packages to farming community at affordable prices (e.g. removing custom tariff at least for the next 6 months).
c.Support public and private sector to revitalize the growth in the animal industry considering local and/or regional demands for animal-sourced food (e.g. poultry, dairy and fisheries)
d.Facilitate imports of high quality planting materials and other essential agricultural inputs by the industry to support the productivity enhancement drive
2.Food distribution system (to be implemented by July 31, 2020)
a.Invest in cold storage, refrigerated trucks to transport products from production centers to collection/distribution centers (will reduce post-harvest losses of perishables).
b.Use railway (e.g. with dedicated compartments) for quick and secured delivery of food to the consumers (will reduce food miles and postharvest losses).
c.Streamline the food delivery systems initiated during crisis times as a new high-end business avenue to create graduate employment.
d.Introduce an effective route of reaching the consumers by minimizing the ‘cross-roads’ and strengthen linkages along perishable value chains.
e.Incentivize proper packaging and transportation to minimize the postharvest losses.
f.Promote the use of ICT based tools for tracking perishables in order to enhance trustworthiness and information enabling the different actors along the supply chain to make better decisions.
3. Food processing and value addition (to be implemented by 30 June 2020)
a.Initiate activities to increase availability of raw materials for food processing (e.g. maize cultivation for poultry and cattle feed, forage crops cultivation for dairy sector, starter cultures and cups for dairy processing industry).
4.Food trade (to be implemented by May 31, 2020)
a.Facilitate international collaborations to connect with potential suppliers and buyers (to explore new markets).
b.Increase coordination among ports, customs and inspecting agencies in order to define clear roles and tasks for efficient processes.
5.Cross-cutting issues (to be implemented by 30 June 2020)
a.Establish clear and direct policies covering all sub-sectors in agriculture, including product quality and safety issues.
(2)Specific Recommendations to Improve Vegetable Supply Chains (could apply to all Perishables):
(a)Potential immediate interventions during Covid-19 (to be implemented by May 31)
1.Keep the dedicated economic centers (DECs) open for a limited operational period for a day, under strict monitoring and control of armed forces (e.g. farmers to take turns to arrive at DECs and movements regulated by Department of Agriculture and Department of Agrarian Development).
2.Permit only large scale buyers/wholesalers to enter DECs, and only a minimum quantity of purchase by a buyer at each transaction.
3.Ban entry of retailers to the main DECs to reduce congestion.
4.Designate authorized wholesalers (on application/request) in each region/District Secretarial Division (DS) for carrying out wholesale operations, under strict monitoring and control of armed forces (e.g. retailer to take turns to arrive at these wholesale centers) and publicize the list of authorized wholesalers.
5.Designate local retail centers for a given DS region to limit their mobility across regions.
6.Support continuation of already established supermarket procurement structures (home delivery and on-line purchase of fresh crop and animal products, dry rations etc.).
(b)Potential long-term interventions during post-COIVD-19 (to be implemented by December 31, 2020)
1.Encourage private sector companies or Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs) to establish cold storage facilities in close proximity to DECs and refrigerated transport facilities through provision of low interest loans, tax concessions and electricity at subsidized prices, etc., (could be rented for farmers/sellers).
2.Discourage overproduction of certain vegetables by controlling/regulating the supply of seeds and cultivated extents to reduce market gluts.
3.Actively promote Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Certification among farmers and introduce a trace back system for individual producers (initially for commission agents/wholesale levels).
4.Invest on capacity building of consumer authorities to carry out testing of randomly taken vegetable samples for pesticides residues.
5.Impose strict regulatory control and penalties for indiscriminate users of agrochemicals.
6.Introduce appropriate market mechanisms to motivate GAP-registered farmers.
7.Maintain a “Food Bank” – buffer stocks of essential food items in government stores sufficient at least for 1-month period.
8.Amend the Plant Protection act with a futuristic view and finalize plant protection and quarantine regulations to facilitate entry of high quality planting materials to Sri Lanka
Anticipating your fullest attention to the above recommendations to minimize impact on the national food security during post-COVID-19 era.
The letter was written by Prof. Gamini Pushpakumara Dean/Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Prof. Sudas D. Wanniarachchi, Dean/Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Dr. M. Pagthinathan, Dean/Faculty of Agriculture, Eastern University, Dr. K. Sooriyakumar, Dean/Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna, Prof. A.M.J.B. Adikari, Dean/Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University, Prof. Manjula P Sumith Magamage Dean/Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University, Prof. Udith K. Jayasinghe-Mudalige, Dean/Faculty of Agriculture & Plantation Management, Wayamba University, Prof. Ajith Jayaweera, Dean/Faculty of Livestock Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University and Prof. Sepalika Jayamanne, Dean/Faculty of Animal Science & Export Agriculture, Uva Wellassa University.
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