By Prof. Samitha Hettige

In 2023 the Earth community celebrated the 23^rd anniversary of human presence in Space Stations. Space explorations started in the 1960s with goals of resolving human conflicts connected with settlements etc. USA & USSR were the front runners & Russia, Japan, China & India etc. contributed later. By now some have even successfully developed light weight bricks (using Mushrooms) for constructions on the moon (Ref. NASA). Chinese scientists successfully tested ways of cultivating rice on the moon in 2020. 2023 also witnessed some states involved in conflicts on earth on issues including settlements. Those interested may use the ‘Onion’ tool to analyze & resolve such conflicts.

Onions in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankans weren’t matured to understand documents such as the ‘Donoughmore’ report & were killing each other when India educated them on the Provincial Councils (late 1980s). Some political forces which didn’t like it forced Sri Lankans to boycott Indian products. The impact of that must have been grave even then as the larger majority depended on Indian medicinal drugs etc. Despite the terrorism unleashed at the grassroots by such politics, Sri Lankans couldn’t do without ‘Bombay Onions’. There were reports on the killings of many small vendors because they sold ‘Bombay Onions’ despite warnings. Thus ‘Bombay Onions’ were renamed ‘Big Onions’ & some even started cultivating them. Whenever India took internal policy decisions especially on ‘Onion’ exports it affected Sri Lankans. Such situations have been used for domestic politics as well. ‘Big Onion’ talks were hot during the post 2015 period & they are back in discussion. Though some refer to SL as a predominantly agricultural country, crops such as ‘Big Onions’ are providing space for Sri Lankans to think how important it is to manage agriculture to be a peaceful & a self sufficient state.

Chinese warm approach

Few years ago when SL was trying to make the ends meet, China had offered to buy the entire fruit & vegetable produce from SL as a measure to fuel SL economy as per reliable sources. Those concerned about ‘Chinese debt traps’ should know that China has many humane ways to help friends rather than giving a second loan to repay the first. From 25^th December 2023 China reduced 98% of the import taxes on agricultural products from six African Belt & Road partners (China’s 21^st century international trade net). Madagascar, Mali, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritania & the Gambia are the lucky recipients of the ‘Christmas Gift’.

Weather reports indicate that 2023 winter is the coldest in Beijing since 1951. At the United Nations, the Chinese Spring Festival was recognized as a ‘UN Floating Holiday’ starting in 2024. It gives an opportunity to those who value win-win cooperation to celebrate. Those in Europe may taste the wines produced in the Chinese (Wu family) owned Vineyards in Spain. Belt & Road trains connecting Spain with China will take it to the Chinese. These developments should give space to Sri Lankans to re think on managing agriculture in the transnational markets. It will not be difficult as they have supplied rice to the Persian Empire even during 4^th century AD.

(Photo: Onion farmer in the DRC).

(Views expressed are personal).