Sri Lanka’s palm oil industry is a relatively small one, but it is in a position to have a larger positive impact on the economic future of our country and is ready to support the economy and government to overcome present challenges a Statement from Palm Oil Industry Association (POIASL) of Sri Lanka said.
Palm oil is the most produced, consumed and traded edible oil in the world, accounting for over 33% of the global edible oil market. The industry is also generally eco-friendly and entirely sustainable, particularly in Sri Lanka, where the cultivation occurs only on existing plantation land and not on virgin land. The Palm oil industry has attracted years of negative propaganda and misinformation, particularly in Sri Lanka. Much of it is based on the experiences of certain countries where uncontrolled cultivation has impacted ecosystems. However, in Sri Lanka there is no such risk of that happening and furthermore, it has never been experienced during 50 years of oil palm cultivation in Sri Lanka.
The total extent of oil palm cultivation in Sri Lanka is less than 12,000 hectares, entirely on large estates. Compare this with major producers such as Malaysia with 6,000,000 hectares cultivated, where 40% or more is produced by smallholders. This has helped to drive a boom in rural economies across countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, helping to lift countless millions out of poverty and create a bright and prosperous future. Thus, liberalizing the palm oil industry in Sri Lanka will help to strengthen smallholder investment in oil palm cultivation, which will create massive opportunities for economic emancipation and rural development through oil palm cultivation by smallholders. Furthermore, allowing our local industry to flourish will help us reduce our dependence on foreign exchange for the import of edible oils, while also helping to strengthen Sri Lanka’s food security. The POIASL has also established ties with other leading producers of palm oil in the world, and these friendly countries are ready and willing to extend support to Sri Lanka in terms of expertise and technical knowledge to further the industry. However, with the present short-sighted and ill-advised bans on palm oil and the cultivation of oil palms, the Association is left unable to maximally contribute towards supporting Sri Lanka at this crucial juncture in its economic history.
“Thus, we POIASL, take this opportunity to request the authorities to repeal the bans and other negative policies in place against our industry and allow us to do our part to support the Sri Lankan economy, and the Government of Sri Lanka in its medium to long-term economic objectives.”
“Ours is a responsible, sustainable, eco-friendly industry that has the potential to transform Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector, and potentially even its agricultural exports, while definitely minimizing our reliance on imported edible oils.”
Therefore, we believe that continuing to suppress this potentially vibrant, high-performing industry, which can help Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans overcome the present challenges, is irresponsible, unfair and entirely unnecessary.
“Thus, we strongly request the relevant authorities to allow us to do our part, because we are, and have always been, ever willing to do so.”
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