Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector is facing an unprecedented crisis, compounded by recent heavy rains that destroyed an estimated 500,000 acres of cultivated land. This calamity highlights a broader structural problem in the country's approach to agriculture, ranging from environmental mismanagement to policy failures and socio-economic shifts.
Rain: A Double-Edged Sword
Rain, often considered a form of natural capital, is essential for Sri Lanka’s agriculture, powering both the Yala and Maha cultivation seasons and supporting the country’s hydropower. However, when rainfall becomes excessive, as it did this time due to cyclonic activity in the Bay of Bengal, it devastates farmlands. The destruction of half a million acres of cultivated land, including paddy fields, means:
- Loss of Capital: Farmers lose crops that could yield millions of rupees per acre.
- Food Security Threats: An acre of paddy can feed 10 families for a year. The loss will exacerbate rice shortages, necessitating costly imports.
- Economic Strain: Agriculture contributes 7.4% to the GDP and employs 30% of the labor force, directly impacting livelihoods.
Government Response: Too Little, Too Late?
The government has announced compensation of Rs. 40,000 per acre for five selected crops. While this gesture shows intent, it is inadequate to offset the massive losses incurred by farmers. For context:
- Potential Income vs. Compensation: An acre of paddy can yield up to Rs. 1 million, making the compensation equivalent to "a butterfly wing" in comparison to the losses.
- Farmer Sentiment: As Vedda leader Uruwarige Vanniyalatho aptly pointed out, the compensation barely scratches the surface of the practical needs of the affected farmers.
The Decline of Farming
Sri Lanka's farming sector is in decline due to multiple factors:
- Labor Shift:
- Farming is no longer seen as a viable or attractive occupation.
- Daily wage jobs like masonry or running wheelbarrows are often more profitable.
- Rising Input Costs:
- Fertilizer prices remain high.
- Poorly executed policies, like the organic fertilizer ban under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, created further distrust and financial strain.
- Climate Change:
- Changing rainfall patterns, flooding, and increased inter-monsoon activity make farming riskier.
- Generational Shift:
- Younger generations, equipped with modern tools and aspirations, prefer urban jobs over agricultural labor.
Structural and Policy Challenges
Sri Lanka has historically struggled to produce sufficient rice to meet its annual demand, achieving only 60% of its requirements, with the remainder imported primarily from India. This dependency is exacerbated by:
- Poor agricultural productivity.
- Limited investment in modernizing farming techniques.
- Insufficient disaster preparedness to mitigate the effects of floods and droughts.
In 1998, Sri Lanka produced 3 million metric tons of paddy, but such figures are unattainable without significant investment in infrastructure, subsidies, and technology.
Path to Revitalization
To overcome these challenges, the government must implement a comprehensive agricultural revival plan focusing on:
- Improved Disaster Management:
- Develop flood-resistant farming methods and infrastructure.
- Implement insurance schemes to safeguard farmers from natural calamities.
- Fair Compensation Policies:
- Increase the compensation for crop losses to a meaningful level, ensuring farmers can recover.
- Climate-Resilient Practices:
- Encourage sustainable farming techniques adapted to changing weather patterns.
- Modernization of Agriculture:
- Invest in mechanization and training for farmers to improve yields.
- Provide subsidies for fertilizers and seeds to reduce production costs.
- Policy Stability:
- Avoid abrupt policy shifts, such as the hasty transition to organic fertilizers, which disrupt productivity and farmer confidence.
Conclusion
The destruction caused by heavy rains has exposed the fragility of Sri Lanka's agricultural sector. While compensation is a start, it is insufficient to address the systemic issues plaguing the sector. Sri Lanka must act swiftly to modernize farming, provide better support to its farmers, and adapt to the realities of climate change. Only then can the country secure its food supply, reduce dependency on imports, and revitalize a sector that feeds its people and sustains its economy.
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