It is worthy to forget about the big amount, 63 million dollars invested if cannot get back than committing the crime of destroying the food security of a nation at the risk of importing Chinese organic manure that has been confirmed to contain microorganisms, said Dr Varshi Dandeniya of the Department of Soil Science at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya. She further elaborated the fact that the cost to this country in the future would be in the thousands of millions of dollars.
She said this while participating in the Sirasa Mawatha TV program yesterday.
“We present two test reports for two microbial groups in two laboratories. The two test reports only indicate the presence or absence of targeted microorganisms in the test. However, this does not confirm the presence of many fungal bacteria or viruses in these samples.
“However, there is one thing that is confirmed by these test reports. Both clearly indicate the presence of microorganisms in these samples. ”
“So it is against the standards we have adopted in importing organic fertilizer. No organic fertilizer with living matters can be brought into the country.”
“If we say that we have walked on a farm after going abroad, we will enter the country by washing our soles. This is to avoid the risk of any harmful microorganisms or plant material entering the country. That is because those people are just as concerned and responsible about their land. ”
“But what are we going to do?” Attempts are being made to import fertilizers that are said to contain microorganisms. They say there are no harmful microorganisms in the manure. How can you say that? The behaviour of microorganisms depends on the nature of the ecosystem. It is not possible to predict whether they are pathogenic or not. The best thing to do is not to take such a terrible risk. Why do we pay to get sick? ”
“It simply came to our notice then. We are finally stuck because of a decision-making mistake. The President may have taken this decision because he could not achieve anything without influencing the people of our country. It has a lot of good results. People are accustomed to organic farming. We need to force our people to do something. But a country is not a Montessori class. We have a responsibility to manage situations where we can not do as proposed. ”
“We are playing with the country’s food security. That is with the national security of a country. Our country is a country with a very sensitive ecosystem and huge biodiversity. Destroying this whole thing and bringing in medicines from China for diseases that can be paid for? When the harvest is destroyed, will the food be imported from China? ”
We have past examples. In one month the coffee plantations in this country were destroyed by a fungus. We now know what happened to the Bible orange plantation. “
We could have succeeded if we had gone step by step without jumping into an organic dream overnight. We do not have to take this risk. ”
“This is my personal opinion. If there is a slight risk, there are creatures in this fertilizer. Do not take this fertilizer to this country. If you say that this fertilizer is brought temporarily, the destruction caused by it is not temporary. That destruction is eternal. ”
“We have been carrying this disease for generations. If we now have $ 63 million, we will spend ninety-nine thousand metric tons to bring in a thousand million dollars to solve the problems we bring from here. “
“Suppose $ 63 million of this fertilizer is dumped into the river at an irreversible cost. Let’s face it, yields are declining. Let’s do this work with the available fertilizer. “
This is a deadly risk, don’t take that risk.
Chandi Rajapaksa, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya Prof. Devika de Costa, Dr. Chammi Attanayake, Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya participated.
