A review of planning for paddy production in Sri Lanka, 1947 -1970

Abstract

The word planning is defined in various ways. It is hardly rewarding to enumerate the definitions. In general, planning means tracing a certain course of action with a view to attaining a definite predetermined objective. There is a wide variety of purposes for which planning is applied and accordingly, there are different types of planning. These can be divided into two broad groups: physical planning and economic planning. The former is concerned with the designing and construction of specific physical objects like buildings, bridges, roads or even the lay-out of the urban and rural landscape. The latter deals with the utilization of scarce resources to achieve maximum benefits. Though in practice physical planning is complementary to. economic planning, in this paper it is from the point of view of the latter! that planning for paddy pro duction in Sri Lanka is reviewed. In this review, the formulation of policies to increase the production of paddy, either on the basis of formally prepared economic development plans, or without them, is regarded as planning for paddy production. An attempt is made to examine the degree to which paddy production was planned in terms of specific production projects, firstly to suit locational characteristics and regional differences and secondly, to ensure .the optimal use of resources. The first part of the paper focuses attention on the need for considering regional differences. The second and the third sections review the process of planning for paddy production firstly as appearing in the development plans and secondly, as evident from the agricultural policies. Though a general review of planning up to about 1968 appears in a recent work.? its focus has obscured the theme of discussion presented in this essay.