FAO predicts grim agricultural outlook for Lanka in 2023 due to input constraints and rising food prices

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has foreseen a challenging year for agricultural production in Sri Lanka. The latest Crop Prospects and Food Situation Report from July paints a disheartening picture of agricultural output in the country. The primary cause of this bleak forecast is the limitations faced by farmers in accessing essential agricultural inputs. Moreover, the elevated costs of crucial food items are exacerbating the situation, making it increasingly difficult for numerous households to afford the sustenance they require.

According to the report, the projected cereal production for 2023 is expected to fall below the five-year average due to the ongoing obstacles in farmers’ access to necessary inputs. The surging prices of key food items are also playing a role in constraining the economic accessibility of food for a significant number of households. Although the majority of households in the country maintain food security, certain areas continue to grapple with pockets of food insecurity.

The report highlights that the Estate sector, particularly tea production, and households relying on social protection programs like Samurdhi and disability benefits, continue to experience food insecurity. On a positive note, domestic wheat flour prices have seen a decline since October 2022. This reduction can be attributed to increased import volumes, falling international prices, and a slight strengthening of the national currency since March.

In another report, the World Food Programme (WFP) references statistics from the Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission 2023, revealing that approximately 3.9 million Sri Lankans are moderately afflicted by food insecurity. The report further notes that since the initiation of emergency response efforts in June 2022, over three million individuals in Sri Lanka have received assistance from the WFP.

The WFP’s ongoing efforts include the distribution of fortified rice to schools across nine districts as part of the National School Meals Programme. Additionally, the organization is currently conducting a comprehensive assessment of household food security for around 4,300 households throughout Sri Lanka. The findings of this assessment are anticipated to be released in September and will guide the WFP’s programming endeavors for the year 2024.