Features
How can we tackle issue in tea sector?
By Prof. Kapila G Prematilake
Department of Export Agriculture Faculty of Animal Science & Export Agriculture Uva Wellassa University
Scope of this article is to give some insight into the soil fertility status of tea soils and current situation of fertiliser usage in tea sector and the potential to proceed with organic fertiliser usage in the future
. It is apparent that the current agronomic practices undertaken in tea fields are not quite sufficient to meet the total demand for organic fertilisers. Further improvement in soil organic matter status is therefore very necessary in order to achieve the future goals in tea production.
The use of organic fertilisers to tea is not of recent origin; it was recommended many years ago with the understanding of their paramount importance in maintaining the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil and therein enhancing the nutrients availability in soil enabling uptake them by plants.
A large amount of plant parts from different sources which are generally considered ‘organic matter’,such as rehabilitation grasses, shade tree loppings, mulch materials, green manure plants, weed compost, pruned litter etc. is added to soil in a tea field. These organic matters are subjected to decompose and mineralise their complex compounds such as protein, peptides, amino acids and amides by soil-dwelling macro, meso and micro fauna and flora. Hence, only a fraction of nutrients such as Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P2O5) and Potassium (K2O) and carbon (C) in organic matter is released by mineralization in plant available forms: NH4+ NO3– , PO4-3, HPO4-2, H2PO4– and K+ ions.
In tea lands, organic matter mineralisation thus releases only around 25-50% of the N P K in plant available form in the exchangeable pool to taken up by tea plants. The exchangeable capacity of nutrients in the soil solution is determined by the soil organic matter level i.e. mainly the amount of humus and clay particles. When the soil is more humic with release of Carbon (C) from organic matter, a high cation exchange capacity (CEC) is maintained thereby many nutrients in cation forms can be exchanged in the soil solution.
Further, soil carbon supplied from organic matter is subjected to periodical burn at 1% per annum, i.e. 10-20 m tons/ha. Hence, a high level of carbon cannot be sustained without a regular supply and proper management. As such, organic matter has to be supplied at least at the rate of 10, 15 and 20 m.tons/ha/yr for the Up country, mid country and low country, tea lands, respectively. Therefore, there are enormous benefit of increasing the organic matter fraction of soil as a fertility promoting strategy.
In tea cultivation the capacity of in situ supplying of organic matter is enormous as indicated above. Tea being a shade loving plant it needs an optimum shade level to grow, hence high and low shade trees have been established in tea fields. The low shade tree species such as Gliricidia, Dadap and Calliandra not only provide shade but also supply green manure by lopping or pruning branches periodically and adding them to the soil. High shade tree species such as Albezzia and Grevillea also provide green manure by pruning (pollarding) their branches annually. In addition, a variety of green manure crops such as Crotolaria species Artimesia vulgaris (Nochchi), Sesbania sesban (Wal Katurumurunga), Sambucas javonica (Eldebery), Tithonia diversifolia (Wild sunflower) can be planted for in situ supply of green manure to tea fields.
The total dry matter of organic matter added to mature a tea field by aforementioned various agronomic practices was estimated to be 79-130 m tons/ha/annum (Table 1). Of this amount nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P2O5), potassium (K2O) and Carbon (C) composite at the rate of 592-958 kg/ha, 135-220 kg/ha, 444-716 kg /ha and 8.4-13.8 m tons/ha, respectively. Table 1:
However, as mentioned above all these amounts of nutrients are not virtually available but only a fraction of nutrients is available for uptake by plants. Thus, assuming a minimum of 25% of nutrients are available after mineralisation, N, P2O5, K2O are available only at the rate of 167-300, 56-102, 118-200 kg/ha, respectively to uptake by tea plants in a mature tea field (Table 2).
When fertiliser requirement as per the TRI recommendation is considered, there is about 100 kg deficit in N for VP tea when supplied by organic matter. There are at least 45-50 plucking rounds per annum at this phase, and therefore, an additional amount of organic matter has to be supplied definitely to offset the lost plant nutrients with regular plucking. However, in regard to seed tea nutrients available with organic manure is found to be at a manageable level Table 2:
Likewise, during new clearing phase i.e. 1st and 2nd year after planting, it has been estimated that around 200-340 kg N, 65-120 kg P2O5 and 180-314 kg K2O/ha are available for tea following mineralization of organic matter supplied from soil rehabilitation, mulching after tea planting, green manure crops and weed compost available in situ and also with saving of soil by adoption of soil conservation measures (Table 3). However, as per the TRI recommendation N, P2O5 and K2O have to be supplied @ 278, 186 and 203 kg/ha respectively from inorganic fertilisers. Hence, it is apparent that nitrogen and phosphorus levels could be barely managed with organic manure. An additional amount of organic matter has therefore to be supplied to compensate the deficit. Table 3:
During young tea phase i.e. 3rd to 5th year after planting until rejuvenation pruning, it has been estimated that around 108-203 kg N, 46-86 kg P2O5 and 83-141 kg K2O/ha are available after mineralisation of organic matter supplied from lower shade trees, green manure crops, weed compost available in situ and also with soil saving by soil conservation measures (Table 4). Whereas, as per the TRI recommendation N, P2O5, and K2O have to be supplied at the rate of 240, 65 and 140 kg/ha, respectively from inorganic fertilizers during the same period. There again some deficit in N for plants is occurred, although K and P can be barely managed. As such an additional amount of organic matter has to be supplied.
It is thus apparent that there is some short in supply of nutrients at the all mature, young and new clearing phases when treated with organic compounds. Furthermore, it should be noted that in tea soil it is required to maintain the ratio between nitrogen and potassium around 2:1. Considering the all aspects a certain amount of organic matter has to be additionally supplied to each category of field, accordingly. Table 4:
Many of the RPC sector estates adopt at least some of the agronomic practices mentioned above thereby certain amount of organic matter is added to soil. However, in tea small holding sector there is a tendency to do away with such basic agronomic practices resulting in a short supply of required amount of organic matter to soil. For instance, mulching is not practiced soon after replanting of tea and no proper shade is maintained thereby a certain amount of biomass cannot be added to soil with lopping. As such, more organic matter is needed to be supplied to soil.
Making availability of organic matter:
It is to be noted that there are some other practices as well to increase the amount of organic matter in soil. Addition of wormy compost and compost made of refuse tea are among them. However, the biggest issue in case of compost use is application of a large volume or weight to a vast area of tea land, which is sometimes larger than 100 ha in size. It is obvious that carrying a large number of bags with compost in worker’s shoulder is a tedious job and more laborious. One practical solution is the establishment of green manure within and around the land, wherever possible as mentioned above and applying them in situ. Though we have not drawn a proper attention, there are many sources of organic matter in the vicinity our lands. Only some of them which are rich in nutrients, have been exploited or underexploited. Wild sun flower (Tithonia diversifolia), Patas (Euphatorium innuliformis), Eldeberry (Sambucus javonica), Dadap (Erythrina lithosperma) and are some of the examples. Planting of a suitable green manure crop or mixture of crops on fences and vacant patches and establishment of double hedge rows of green manure crops on sloppy lands [SALT] can be proposed. These plants can be pruned at regular intervals and litter can be utilised for compost making or directly incorporate in to soil. For instance, in one ha of small farm unit, Gliricidia like species can be planted on the fence and regularly lopped the plants and added to soil or buried them. It is able to obtain 6000 kg dry matter per annum from loppings, which contain around 180 kg N.
Poor retention of soil nutrients in soil.
Poor retention of nutrients in soil solution when any artificial or organic fertilisers are added, has become a critical issue due to the fact that tea soil has been heavily degraded resulting in a drastic reduction in soil Carbon content. In many tea lands it has come down to even <1% although it should be maintained at least above 2%. There is no any use of adding fertilisers on such infertile and degraded soil because without adding organic materials and implementing good agricultural practices (GAP) it is not possible to maximise the efficiency of chemical fertilisers and amendments. Likewise, the efficacy of use of any bio fertiliser also depends upon the degree of presence of soil organic matter.
Furthermore, the efficacy of use of any fertiliser by crop plants can be improved only by incorporation it into soil or otherwise by burying the material. A very good results have been able to achieve with burying of tea pruned litter in situ rather than just spread them on the ground. An early bud break after pruning of tea, greenish color of shoot and yield increment are some of the benefits achieved.
Therefore, soil incorporation of any fertiliser is very necessarily to be done at any cost instead of just broadcasting to soil surface. Spreading over the surface soil will only result in fast growth of weeds and evaporating some nutrients in gaseous form and washing away nutrients, causing eutrophication in rivers and reservoirs.
Hence, a massive campaign has to be launched to educate the all tea growers, emphasising the importance of use of organic matter. Motivating them for production and regular application of organic compounds in proper manner to their own tea fields is the need of the hour. Finally, there is a pressing need to follow all good agricultural practices (GAP) including soil conservation measures and cultivating many green manure crops to keep the tea land enriched with more organic matter throughout the year.
by Dr Gotabhya Ranasinghe
Senior Consultant Cardiologist
National Hospital Sri Lanka
When we sought a meeting with Hon Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Health, he graciously cleared his busy schedule to accommodate us. Renowned for his attentive listening and deep understanding, Minister Pathirana is dedicated to advancing the health sector. His openness and transparency exemplify the qualities of an exemplary politician and minister.
Dr. Palitha Mahipala, the current Health Secretary, demonstrates both commendable enthusiasm and unwavering support. This combination of attributes makes him a highly compatible colleague for the esteemed Minister of Health.
Our discussion centered on a project that has been in the works for the past 30 years, one that no other minister had managed to advance.
Minister Pathirana, however, recognized the project’s significance and its potential to revolutionize care for heart patients.
The project involves the construction of a state-of-the-art facility at the premises of the National Hospital Colombo. The project’s location within the premises of the National Hospital underscores its importance and relevance to the healthcare infrastructure of the nation.
This facility will include a cardiology building and a tertiary care center, equipped with the latest technology to handle and treat all types of heart-related conditions and surgeries.
Securing funding was a major milestone for this initiative. Minister Pathirana successfully obtained approval for a $40 billion loan from the Asian Development Bank. With the funding in place, the foundation stone is scheduled to be laid in September this year, and construction will begin in January 2025.
This project guarantees a consistent and uninterrupted supply of stents and related medications for heart patients. As a result, patients will have timely access to essential medical supplies during their treatment and recovery. By securing these critical resources, the project aims to enhance patient outcomes, minimize treatment delays, and maintain the highest standards of cardiac care.
Upon its fruition, this monumental building will serve as a beacon of hope and healing, symbolizing the unwavering dedication to improving patient outcomes and fostering a healthier society.We anticipate a future marked by significant progress and positive outcomes in Sri Lanka’s cardiovascular treatment landscape within the foreseeable timeframe.
by Fr. Emmanuel Fernando, OMI
Jesuit Fr. Aloysius Pieris (affectionately called Fr. Aloy) celebrated his 90th birthday on April 9, 2024 and I, as the editor of our Oblate Journal, THE MISSIONARY OBLATE had gone to press by that time. Immediately I decided to publish an article, appreciating the untiring selfless services he continues to offer for inter-Faith dialogue, the renewal of the Catholic Church, his concern for the poor and the suffering Sri Lankan masses and to me, the present writer.
It was in 1988, when I was appointed Director of the Oblate Scholastics at Ampitiya by the then Oblate Provincial Fr. Anselm Silva, that I came to know Fr. Aloy more closely. Knowing well his expertise in matters spiritual, theological, Indological and pastoral, and with the collaborative spirit of my companion-formators, our Oblate Scholastics were sent to Tulana, the Research and Encounter Centre, Kelaniya, of which he is the Founder-Director, for ‘exposure-programmes’ on matters spiritual, biblical, theological and pastoral. Some of these dimensions according to my view and that of my companion-formators, were not available at the National Seminary, Ampitiya.
Ever since that time, our Oblate formators/ accompaniers at the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya , have continued to send our Oblate Scholastics to Tulana Centre for deepening their insights and convictions regarding matters needed to serve the people in today’s context. Fr. Aloy also had tried very enthusiastically with the Oblate team headed by Frs. Oswald Firth and Clement Waidyasekara to begin a Theologate, directed by the Religious Congregations in Sri Lanka, for the contextual formation/ accompaniment of their members. It should very well be a desired goal of the Leaders / Provincials of the Religious Congregations.
Besides being a formator/accompanier at the Oblate Scholasticate, I was entrusted also with the task of editing and publishing our Oblate journal, ‘The Missionary Oblate’. To maintain the quality of the journal I continue to depend on Fr. Aloy for his thought-provoking and stimulating articles on Biblical Spirituality, Biblical Theology and Ecclesiology. I am very grateful to him for his generous assistance. Of late, his writings on renewal of the Church, initiated by Pope St. John XX111 and continued by Pope Francis through the Synodal path, published in our Oblate journal, enable our readers to focus their attention also on the needed renewal in the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. Fr. Aloy appreciated very much the Synodal path adopted by the Jesuit Pope Francis for the renewal of the Church, rooted very much on prayerful discernment. In my Religious and presbyteral life, Fr.Aloy continues to be my spiritual animator / guide and ongoing formator / acccompanier.
Fr. Aloysius Pieris, BA Hons (Lond), LPh (SHC, India), STL (PFT, Naples), PhD (SLU/VC), ThD (Tilburg), D.Ltt (KU), has been one of the eminent Asian theologians well recognized internationally and one who has lectured and held visiting chairs in many universities both in the West and in the East. Many members of Religious Congregations from Asian countries have benefited from his lectures and guidance in the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) in Manila, Philippines. He had been a Theologian consulted by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences for many years. During his professorship at the Gregorian University in Rome, he was called to be a member of a special group of advisers on other religions consulted by Pope Paul VI.
Fr. Aloy is the author of more than 30 books and well over 500 Research Papers. Some of his books and articles have been translated and published in several countries. Among those books, one can find the following: 1) The Genesis of an Asian Theology of Liberation (An Autobiographical Excursus on the Art of Theologising in Asia, 2) An Asian Theology of Liberation, 3) Providential Timeliness of Vatican 11 (a long-overdue halt to a scandalous millennium, 4) Give Vatican 11 a chance, 5) Leadership in the Church, 6) Relishing our faith in working for justice (Themes for study and discussion), 7) A Message meant mainly, not exclusively for Jesuits (Background information necessary for helping Francis renew the Church), 8) Lent in Lanka (Reflections and Resolutions, 9) Love meets wisdom (A Christian Experience of Buddhism, 10) Fire and Water 11) God’s Reign for God’s poor, 12) Our Unhiddden Agenda (How we Jesuits work, pray and form our men). He is also the Editor of two journals, Vagdevi, Journal of Religious Reflection and Dialogue, New Series.
Fr. Aloy has a BA in Pali and Sanskrit from the University of London and a Ph.D in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Sri Lankan, Vidyodaya Campus. On Nov. 23, 2019, he was awarded the prestigious honorary Doctorate of Literature (D.Litt) by the Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, the Most Venerable Welamitiyawe Dharmakirthi Sri Kusala Dhamma Thera.
Fr. Aloy continues to be a promoter of Gospel values and virtues. Justice as a constitutive dimension of love and social concern for the downtrodden masses are very much noted in his life and work. He had very much appreciated the commitment of the late Fr. Joseph (Joe) Fernando, the National Director of the Social and Economic Centre (SEDEC) for the poor.
In Sri Lanka, a few religious Congregations – the Good Shepherd Sisters, the Christian Brothers, the Marist Brothers and the Oblates – have invited him to animate their members especially during their Provincial Congresses, Chapters and International Conferences. The mainline Christian Churches also have sought his advice and followed his seminars. I, for one, regret very much, that the Sri Lankan authorities of the Catholic Church –today’s Hierarchy—- have not sought Fr.
Aloy’s expertise for the renewal of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka and thus have not benefited from the immense store of wisdom and insight that he can offer to our local Church while the Sri Lankan bishops who governed the Catholic church in the immediate aftermath of the Second Vatican Council (Edmund Fernando OMI, Anthony de Saram, Leo Nanayakkara OSB, Frank Marcus Fernando, Paul Perera,) visited him and consulted him on many matters. Among the Tamil Bishops, Bishop Rayappu Joseph was keeping close contact with him and Bishop J. Deogupillai hosted him and his team visiting him after the horrible Black July massacre of Tamils.
Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement
By Gomi Senadhira
senadhiragomi@gmail.com
“You might tell fairy tales, but the progress of a country cannot be achieved through such narratives. A country cannot be developed by making false promises. The country moved backward because of the electoral promises made by political parties throughout time. We have witnessed that the ultimate result of this is the country becoming bankrupt. Unfortunately, many segments of the population have not come to realize this yet.” – President Ranil Wickremesinghe, 2024 Budget speech
Any Sri Lankan would agree with the above words of President Wickremesinghe on the false promises our politicians and officials make and the fairy tales they narrate which bankrupted this country. So, to understand this, let’s look at one such fairy tale with lots of false promises; Ranil Wickremesinghe’s greatest achievement in the area of international trade and investment promotion during the Yahapalana period, Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA).
It is appropriate and timely to do it now as Finance Minister Wickremesinghe has just presented to parliament a bill on the National Policy on Economic Transformation which includes the establishment of an Office for International Trade and the Sri Lanka Institute of Economics and International Trade.
Was SLSFTA a “Cleverly negotiated Free Trade Agreement” as stated by the (former) Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama during the Parliamentary Debate on the SLSFTA in July 2018, or a colossal blunder covered up with lies, false promises, and fairy tales? After SLSFTA was signed there were a number of fairy tales published on this agreement by the Ministry of Development Strategies and International, Institute of Policy Studies, and others.
However, for this article, I would like to limit my comments to the speech by Minister Samarawickrama during the Parliamentary Debate, and the two most important areas in the agreement which were covered up with lies, fairy tales, and false promises, namely: revenue loss for Sri Lanka and Investment from Singapore. On the other important area, “Waste products dumping” I do not want to comment here as I have written extensively on the issue.
1. The revenue loss
During the Parliamentary Debate in July 2018, Minister Samarawickrama stated “…. let me reiterate that this FTA with Singapore has been very cleverly negotiated by us…. The liberalisation programme under this FTA has been carefully designed to have the least impact on domestic industry and revenue collection. We have included all revenue sensitive items in the negative list of items which will not be subject to removal of tariff. Therefore, 97.8% revenue from Customs duty is protected. Our tariff liberalisation will take place over a period of 12-15 years! In fact, the revenue earned through tariffs on goods imported from Singapore last year was Rs. 35 billion.
The revenue loss for over the next 15 years due to the FTA is only Rs. 733 million– which when annualised, on average, is just Rs. 51 million. That is just 0.14% per year! So anyone who claims the Singapore FTA causes revenue loss to the Government cannot do basic arithmetic! Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I call on my fellow members of this House – don’t mislead the public with baseless criticism that is not grounded in facts. Don’t look at petty politics and use these issues for your own political survival.”
I was surprised to read the minister’s speech because an article published in January 2018 in “The Straits Times“, based on information released by the Singaporean Negotiators stated, “…. With the FTA, tariff savings for Singapore exports are estimated to hit $10 million annually“.
As the annual tariff savings (that is the revenue loss for Sri Lanka) calculated by the Singaporean Negotiators, Singaporean $ 10 million (Sri Lankan rupees 1,200 million in 2018) was way above the rupees’ 733 million revenue loss for 15 years estimated by the Sri Lankan negotiators, it was clear to any observer that one of the parties to the agreement had not done the basic arithmetic!
Six years later, according to a report published by “The Morning” newspaper, speaking at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) on 7th May 2024, Mr Samarawickrama’s chief trade negotiator K.J. Weerasinghehad had admitted “…. that forecasted revenue loss for the Government of Sri Lanka through the Singapore FTA is Rs. 450 million in 2023 and Rs. 1.3 billion in 2024.”
If these numbers are correct, as tariff liberalisation under the SLSFTA has just started, we will pass Rs 2 billion very soon. Then, the question is how Sri Lanka’s trade negotiators made such a colossal blunder. Didn’t they do their basic arithmetic? If they didn’t know how to do basic arithmetic they should have at least done their basic readings. For example, the headline of the article published in The Straits Times in January 2018 was “Singapore, Sri Lanka sign FTA, annual savings of $10m expected”.
Anyway, as Sri Lanka’s chief negotiator reiterated at the COPF meeting that “…. since 99% of the tariffs in Singapore have zero rates of duty, Sri Lanka has agreed on 80% tariff liberalisation over a period of 15 years while expecting Singapore investments to address the imbalance in trade,” let’s turn towards investment.
Investment from Singapore
In July 2018, speaking during the Parliamentary Debate on the FTA this is what Minister Malik Samarawickrama stated on investment from Singapore, “Already, thanks to this FTA, in just the past two-and-a-half months since the agreement came into effect we have received a proposal from Singapore for investment amounting to $ 14.8 billion in an oil refinery for export of petroleum products. In addition, we have proposals for a steel manufacturing plant for exports ($ 1 billion investment), flour milling plant ($ 50 million), sugar refinery ($ 200 million). This adds up to more than $ 16.05 billion in the pipeline on these projects alone.
And all of these projects will create thousands of more jobs for our people. In principle approval has already been granted by the BOI and the investors are awaiting the release of land the environmental approvals to commence the project.
I request the Opposition and those with vested interests to change their narrow-minded thinking and join us to develop our country. We must always look at what is best for the whole community, not just the few who may oppose. We owe it to our people to courageously take decisions that will change their lives for the better.”
According to the media report I quoted earlier, speaking at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chief Negotiator Weerasinghe has admitted that Sri Lanka was not happy with overall Singapore investments that have come in the past few years in return for the trade liberalisation under the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. He has added that between 2021 and 2023 the total investment from Singapore had been around $162 million!
What happened to those projects worth $16 billion negotiated, thanks to the SLSFTA, in just the two-and-a-half months after the agreement came into effect and approved by the BOI? I do not know about the steel manufacturing plant for exports ($ 1 billion investment), flour milling plant ($ 50 million) and sugar refinery ($ 200 million).
However, story of the multibillion-dollar investment in the Petroleum Refinery unfolded in a manner that would qualify it as the best fairy tale with false promises presented by our politicians and the officials, prior to 2019 elections.
Though many Sri Lankans got to know, through the media which repeatedly highlighted a plethora of issues surrounding the project and the questionable credentials of the Singaporean investor, the construction work on the Mirrijiwela Oil Refinery along with the cement factory began on the24th of March 2019 with a bang and Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his ministers along with the foreign and local dignitaries laid the foundation stones.
That was few months before the 2019 Presidential elections. Inaugurating the construction work Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the projects will create thousands of job opportunities in the area and surrounding districts.
The oil refinery, which was to be built over 200 acres of land, with the capacity to refine 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day, was to generate US$7 billion of exports and create 1,500 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs. The construction of the refinery was to be completed in 44 months. Four years later, in August 2023 the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to cancel the agreement with the investors of the refinery as the project has not been implemented! Can they explain to the country how much money was wasted to produce that fairy tale?
It is obvious that the President, ministers, and officials had made huge blunders and had deliberately misled the public and the parliament on the revenue loss and potential investment from SLSFTA with fairy tales and false promises.
As the president himself said, a country cannot be developed by making false promises or with fairy tales and these false promises and fairy tales had bankrupted the country. “Unfortunately, many segments of the population have not come to realize this yet”.
(The writer, a specialist and an activist on trade and development issues . )
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