Plantation sector set to welcome 2022 with positivity

• Plantations Minister calls 2021 a “golden year” for industry
• Says ready to meet problems in a “new way”
• Points out tea sector has room for further improvement
• Assures necessary quantities of fertilisers will be made available

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam
The local plantations sector welcomes the new year with hopes and positivity, even though the year 2021 was one of many challenges, due to the abrupt policy decisions made by the government.

Severe hardships were faced by the stakeholders. However, the sector performed considerably well in what was to be the year of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Plantations Ministry said. The year-end positive vibes brought about by the improved performance are expected to spill over to 2022.

“We are ready to meet the problems that we have faced this year and face it in a new way in 2022. As the government, we are ready to provide maximum assistance for the purpose,” said Plantations Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana while delivering his address at an award ceremony held at the Tea Small Holdings Development Authority.

The plantation sector ended the year with the expectation of the rubber, coconut and cinnamon exports generating a revenue of US $ 4 billion. As the export revenue fetched by the sector is the highest ever in history, the minister said 2021 is a “golden year” for the plantations industry, given that it was successful in braving through the challenges to deliver better results. 

With regard to the tea industry, Dr. Pathirana said there is room to perform better and for that, the government would direct efforts towards the further improvement of the sector and its stakeholders.

Pointing out that the government stands ready to provide tea plants and compost fertiliser for free to those who are interested in engaging in plantation activities, Dr. Pathirana shared that the ministry has received several requests for assistance in starting tea plantations. Efforts will be rolled out in the coming year to provide the necessary technical know-how and high-yielding plans, he said. Although upbeat on the opportunities and prospects the new year would bring on the industry, the minister pointed out that the country has still not fully addressed the fertiliser issue. 

The plantations sector was plunged into a fresh crisis last year with the government imposing a ban on the imports of chemical fertilisers in a move to push the nation towards organic agriculture practices. The ban was lifted following an uproar in the farming and plantations sector, as productions started to contract. The minister assured that the country would receive “sufficient” quantities of fertilisers by February and that activities within the sector could proceed with minimal impacts.