Economists believe that agriculture has been neglected due to mismanagement by the state, and lopsided and constantly-changing policies of successive governments. Kelegama believes that however much Sri Lanka develops in the new millennium, it will still remain an agriculture-based economy. A recent Central Bank plan to open a futures market in rice and other farm products may solve one of the biggest problems of farmers - that of prices. This is the technological jump I am talking of. Instead of going through the process of new technology mechanisms, the Central Bank has devised other ways of improving the farm economy, using the futures market like in the West,'' he said.
Economists agree the possibilities are immense.
What is missing is the right political climate.