By Dr PARAKRAMA WAIDYANATHABlunders in state agriculture policy making has been rampant, and the need for our leaders to consult experts in policy making cannot be overstated. Toxin-free agriculture project collapseThen the Yahapalana regime proceeded pell-mell from its commencement in 2015 promoting organic farming and overlooking conventional farming. Neither the Ministry of Agriculture nor the Department of Agriculture were consulted, but compelled to carry out various short-sighted, organic farming- related activities. The outcry of villagers living close to oil palm plantations in the south was that oil palm dries up the soil and water bodies in their villages! Palm oil and healthSome argue that palm oil has health risks.

Source: The Nation November 07, 2020 00:00 UTC