Sri Lanka is currently undergoing one of the most severe
economic crises since its independence. Some experts argue that it is
comparable to India's crisis in 1991. The situation is dire, with foreign
exchange reserves covering only three weeks' worth of imports and external debt
reaching 23% of GDP. The economy is on the verge of collapse, reminiscent of
India's transformative year in 1991, where strong leadership guided the country
through dark times. Today, Sri Lanka finds itself in a similar predicament,
with food prices skyrocketing since the last quarter of 2021 and reaching
record highs in July 2022. The staggering food inflation rate has soared to 90%
higher than the previous year. Shockingly, a special report by the World Food
Program (WFP) reveals that over 6.2 million Sri Lankans, representing more than
28% of the population, are in urgent need of food assistance due to moderate
food insecurity. These alarming statistics paint a bleak picture for a country
once hailed as "The Oriental Granary of Asia."
Although Sri Lanka has been slow to adopt new agricultural
technologies, it can proudly claim to be the birthplace of the green revolution
in rice cultivation. Dr. Norman Borlaug pioneered the global green revolution,
transforming the agricultural landscape worldwide. This groundbreaking
movement, propelled by the introduction of new wheat variants, doubled yields
and significantly bolstered food security in various nations. Notably, by 1963,
Mexico became a net exporter of wheat, and between 1965 and 1970, wheat yields
in Pakistan and India nearly doubled. Sri Lanka, despite its delayed adoption
of technology, achieved significant milestones in rice cultivation. Even before
the establishment of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in 1960,
Sri Lanka had already developed its first rice variant, known as H4, in 1958.
The country embraced mineral fertilizer as early as 1952. Traditional rice
variants in 1950 yielded a mere 650 kg per hectare, but with enhanced rice
variants, the yield has surged to an impressive 4670 kg per hectare today. In
2008, Sri Lanka experienced its highest rice production since 1950. Notably,
during the global food price crisis of 2007-2008, Sri Lanka's resilient
agricultural sector shielded the economy from significant impacts, ensuring an
ample food supply for its people. It marked a renaissance period for Sri
Lanka's agriculture sector, despite occasional setbacks caused by natural
disasters such as droughts and floods. The country demonstrated remarkable
resilience, bouncing back in subsequent years. However, the tide began to turn
in 2020.
In a disastrous decision, the Sri Lankan government
implemented a complete ban on the import of synthetic fertilizers and
pesticides on April 27, 2021. This ill-advised move set off a chain reaction of
calamitous consequences. Although the government recognized the wide-ranging
effects of this decision on the economy and attempted to reverse it in
November, it proved to be too little, too late. Compounding the issue was a
severe shortage of foreign currency. Sri Lanka found itself unable to procure
the necessary foreign currency to import essential goods, exacerbating the
situation as crop yields dwindled. The country was forced to rely on imports to
supplement its food stocks, further straining the already depleted foreign
currency reserves and pushing Sri Lanka's economy to the brink of collapse.
Published data has unequivocally shown that relying solely on organic
fertilizers leads to a significant decrease of 21.5% to 32% in rice production.
It is unfortunate to ponder the scientific rationale behind the government's
abrupt decision.
According to the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS)
national accounts estimates, the shortage of fertilizers has exacerbated
conditions in the agricultural sector, resulting in a staggering 37% reduction
in paddy yield during the Maha 2021/2022 season compared to the previous year.
This has also had a profound impact on animal production. The Department of
Animal Production and Health reports a significant decline of approximately 20%
in milk production, 12% in chicken production, and 35% in egg production in
2022. The prices of chicken meat, eggs, and fresh milk have skyrocketed by
112%, 101%, and 42%, respectively, between 2021 and 2022. The tea industry has
also suffered, with tea production declining by 18% (133 million kilos) between
January and June 2022. These losses translate into a considerable economic
setback for Sri Lanka, as these valuable export dollars have been squandered
due to ill-fated decisions.
Food security encompasses not only the availability of food
but also accessibility and assurance for all. With the rising food prices in
Sri Lanka, millions of people are struggling to make ends meet. According to
the WFP, at least 65,600 individuals are experiencing extreme food insecurity.
More than 60% of families are forced to consume less expensive and less
nutritious food, while approximately 6.7 million people do not have access to a
sufficient diet. Furthermore, 5.3 million people are reducing the number of
meals they consume daily. The implications of this crisis extend beyond hunger
and malnutrition, affecting the physical and mental well-being of individuals
and their ability to contribute to the economy. It is our collective
responsibility to strive towards a country where every person has access to
nutritious food and can lead a healthy and fulfilling life. We owe it to future
generations.
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