Thailand helps SL to procure portion of country’s maize seed requirement for Maha season

Thai ambassador hands over contribution cheque to UN RC and representatives from Agricultural Ministry and UNDP  Pic by Kithsiri De Mel

To address the looming shortage of grains for the animal feed industry and maize-based food items, due to the ongoing socio-economic crisis in Sri Lanka, as part of the response efforts through the United Nations (UN) joint Humanitarian Needs and Priorities (HNP) Plan, the Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo has supported the procurement of a portion of the country’s maize seed requirements, working together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).  

In addition to the livestock feed industry, maize is a staple input for food items such as Thriposha and Samaposha, for which the demand for seeds has swelled over the recent years. 

The UN has since June been responding to the crisis through its joint HNP, which was recently revised to target the provision of life-saving assistance for 3.4 million Sri Lankans and extended through the end of December. Foreign exchange shortages and reduced household purchasing power, exacerbated by two consecutive seasons of poor harvests, have triggered a dramatic increase in food insecurity. Twenty-eight percent of the population or 6.3 million people, face moderate-to-severe acute food insecurity. The Royal Thai Embassy recognised the immediate need to import Maize seeds and supplement the requirement for the Maha harvest season.

Thai Ambassador to Sri Lanka Poj Harnpol handed over the maize seeds to Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday, in the presence of United Nations Sri Lanka Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer-Hamdy and UNDP Sri Lanka Deputy Resident Representative Malin Herwig, along with representatives from humanitarian partner organisations. 

Highlighting the role of the Government of Thailand in contributing towards food security needs, Harnpol stated, “Thailand supports the concerted efforts of the UN programmes to maintain sustainable livelihoods of the affected Sri Lankans. This contribution is one of the packages of Thailand’s donation to Sri Lanka, including medicines, medical supplies, food and financial support from both the government sectors as well as people’s sectors from Thailand.”

The procurement of maize seeds will supplement the ongoing overall food security efforts working with farmer organisations in the dry zone districts of Sri Lanka.
Speaking to the timeliness of the intervention, Amaraweera commented, “We are grateful to the Royal Kingdom of Thailand, for their generous support, for providing 14.5 metric tonnes of hybrid seeds, which is sufficient for 2900 farmers, at this crucial time. This will help to strengthen the bilateral relationship, between Thailand and Sri Lanka. My sincere appreciation to the UNDP, for speeding up the procurement and purchasing seeds, within a short period.”