“We need farmers' companies instead of multinational companies.” Mr. K.D. Lalkantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, says while addressing the People's Economic Forum.

Mr. K.D. Lalkantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, participated today (26^th) in the People's Economic Forum organized by the Sanasa Movement. This forum was held at the Hilton Hotel.

The theme of this year's People's Forum was building sustainable communities. Under that theme, Professor Gamini Senanayake presented his lecture. Cooperatives are the existing tool for achieving sustainability. By bringing farmers together and creating cooperative farmer societies, the rural economy can be elevated. Social capital is the foundation of cooperative societies. Where the community comes together, great social capital is created. The Professor emphasized that if a sustainable community is built together rather than individually, sustainable development can be achieved.

Mr. K.D. Lalkantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, who joined this occasion as the chief guest, addressed the forum and appreciated the cooperative concept.

Economic democracy means every citizen of the country should be connected to the country's economy. Also, those who are connected should receive their fair share. Economic democracy has not been implemented in our country for so long. Although the farming community has been connected to the economy, they have not received their fair share. For economic democracy to succeed, the cooperative concept must be necessary.

A problem arose for us at the Food Security Committee. That was the onion farmers' problem. The cost of onion cultivation is high. But the price of imported onions is low. A tax of 10 rupees was imposed per kilogram of onions. There was a request from farmers to increase that tax. Accordingly, we increased that tax by 50 rupees. But it didn't benefit the farmer. It benefited those who had stored them. Then another suggestion came, that the government should purchase directly based on the cost calculation in a way that brings profit to the farmer. If the cooperative system is strengthened, subsidies can be given to those who need them. It became a problem because there was no purchasing mechanism. If there had been a cooperative system, this problem would be solved. Without going down to the ground level through a cooperative process, it is difficult to find answers to farmers' problems.

Economic democracy cannot be achieved without strengthening the cooperative system. This is essential for the government.

There is great power and strength in working together rather than working individually. That collective nature exists in our genes too. We need the collectiveness of farmers. We need farmers' companies instead of multinational companies. Let us work together and make this effort successful.

Senior officials of the Sanasa Movement participated in this occasion.