Why cause hardships to people?

According to some newspapers,the Sri Lankan rupee, which shed its value from Rs.189 to Rs. 202 against the US dollar, within a span of six months, could further plunge to between Rs. 205 to Rs. 215 by the year end, as the country is grappling with a foreign exchange crisis, with slower dollar inflows.

In such a situation, any sensible government would try to increase exports earnings. We earn nearly Rs. 200 billion annually by exporting tea. Tea Research Institute recommends application of a fertiliser mixture containing urea which has 46% mitogen (N). Organic fertilisers have only about 2 % N. If sufficient N is not applied at correct times, leaf production will go down because N promotes leaf growth. The recent decision of the government. to ban the import of inorganic fertilisers would lead to a reduction of tea production, causing a reduction of what we export and foreign exchange earnings. It will be the same story for other export crops. This will seriously affect our foreign exchange earnings, thereby reducing the capacity to import even essentials, including medicine.

Annually, we import nearly Rs. 300 billion worth of food, most of which can be locally produced. Millions of farmers cultivate paddy, vegetables, subsidiary food crops, legumes, etc. The total extent under cultivation, with paddy, is around 700,000 ha and the average paddy production is 4 t/ha. Research studies carried out at the Batalagoda Rice Research Inst. indicate that organic fertilisers alone will not give a high yield. Hence, banning inorganic fertilisers will tend to reduce paddy production. Already the government. is planning to import 100,000 mt of rice, which will cost around 5 million US $. It is cheaper to import urea (a ton costs 330 US$) and give it to farmers, which will enable them to produce more than 100,000 t of rice. This is far more sensible than importing 100,000 t of rice at a cost of US$ 500 a ton.

Other crops such as onions, maize, legumes, vegetables, etc., are cultivated in around 150,000 ha. Production of these crops too will decrease, if appropriate inorganic fertilisers and pesticides are not applied. An insecticide had to be used to control the fall army worm (it was not fully controlled), which caused problems to many farmers a few months ago. Thousands of farmers all over the country are clamouring for inorganic fertilisers. If production of local crops is affected, we will have to spend more to import these foods, which will cause an increase in imports expenditure or ask the people to be satisfied with 1- 2 meals per day. Even at present, there are families who do not have proper meals. Decreasing productivity of the crops will also affect the farmers who cultivate these crops.

Thousands of farmers all over the country are clamoring for inorganic fertilizers and pesticides as they know that they are necessary for their crops. Land, water (in most areas) and planting materials are available and farmers are prepared to cultivate. But the inappropriate decision to ban import of agrochemicals, is making it impossible for the farmers to produce food necessary for the people in adequate amounts, causing a drain on dollars; the availability of which is already at a low level. This decision of the govt. to ban the import of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides will have a disastrous effect on local crop production, food security, and aggravate the financial crisis we are facing. It is essential that the relevant authorities seriously consider all the repercussions of banning the import of inorganic fertilisers and other agrochemicals, and take appropriate action. If not, the people, especially the poor, will have to face extreme hardships.

Dr. C. S. WEERARATNA

csweera@sltnet.lk