The government must solve the Oil Palm industry issue by allowing the aging plants in nurseries to be planted in estates, said President of the Ceylon Planters’ Society Rashantha Perera at their 83rd Annual General Meeting at Hotel Galadari.
“The ban on planting Oil Palm is another blunder brought on by some half-baked environmentalists, with no scientific evidence to prove reasons for raising these objections. The Government must ensure that there is solid scientific evidence when either banning or introducing any agricultural product or activity”.
“Unless this matter in settled quickly the companies and the country stand to lose a great sum of money.”
He pointed out that Tea Exports have declined by 6% in 2018 and this is mainly due to the lack of re planting and scarcity of labour. Due to the lack of re – planting for over two decades, land preparation, nursery techniques etc. are today forgotten entities. “We hope that the funds would be available for re planting and hopefully RPC’s will also be allotted funds. Commenting on the Rubber industry he said that there is a decrease in production and prices. “An economist of repute Dr. Nimal Sanderatne has recommended the implementation of the Rubber Master Plan to rectify the position.”
In the Coconut Industry, export earnings have dropped by 11% compared to 2017, due mainly to higher domestic consumption, with production being static. He also thanked the Minister of Plantations Navin Dissanyake for coming forward to help the industry iron out several key issues faced by them from time to time.
He was also instrumental in settling the Planters retirement age issue which was battled for 25 and Minister has now obtained cabinet approval for the extension of the retirement age up to 60 years.
He also suggested that when Government authorities take over estate land, alternative cultivatable blocks of lands be given instead of cash to enhance the productivity of all Plantation crops.
He also requested the RPC’s not to take ad-hoc administrative measures when it comes to staff transfers and other issues. Chairman Watawala Plantations Sunil Wijesingha was the Chief Guest. (SS)
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