The Government of Sri Lanka developed the Overarching Agricultural Policy (OAP) under the guidance of the National Planning Department and the Ministry of Agriculture with support (and funding) provided by the European Union through the Technical Assistance to Modernisation of Agriculture Programme (TAMAP).
The aim of the OAP is to promote food and nutrition security and (while raising the standard of living) to raise living standards of people involved in agriculture through value addition and improved competitiveness of the sector, while ensuring sustainable use of natural resources. This is strategically aligned with the national vision outlined in the “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ transforming Sri Lanka into a “people-centric economy”.
The final draft of the OAP was presented to stakeholders at (workshop held recently) the recent workshop held at Waters Edge on the 27th of October 2021. The workshop was convened by the Ministry of Agriculture. Snr. Prof. Udith Jayasinghe Mudalige, Secretary Agriculture inaugurated the meeting and Dr Manoj Thibbotuwawa, Senior Research Fellow, IPS presented highlights of the policy. Hon. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Plantation, and Hon. Kanchana Wijesekera, State Minister of Fisheries were present. Mr Denis Chaibi, Head of Delegation, European Union delivered closing remarks.
Participants from the Ministries and State Ministries contributed to the discussion with their views, suggestions, and recommendation for the way forward. Amongst them were representatives from ministries covering crops, animal husbandry, fisheries and aquaculture, plantation, irrigation, land, and environment.