News Highlights
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured Sri Lanka of immediate supply of fertilizer as the island braces for a food crisis amid a crushing economic meltdown
Focus Points
- As per Sri Lanka India assures fertiliser supply required for Yala season cultivation .
- The fertiliser will be supplied under an “Indian loan facility” and is scheduled to be distributed to farmers within 20 days after the consignment arrives.
- Sri Lanka is now counting the swift arrival of a 65,000 tonne fertilizer consignment from India worth about $25 million.
How Banning of Chemical Fertiliser Aggravated Sri Lankan Crisis?
- Background
- The issue arises as the Sri Lankan President carried out an overnight ban of chemical fertilizers on April 29 with the aim of shifting the country to complete organic farming.
- Impact of the Move
- Reduction in the production of food crops upto 50% like sugar , rice , onions which ultimately result in food price inflation .For example, sugar price touches Rs 200/kg.
- The production of cash crops like tea, spices which is the primary source export from Sri Lanka falls down.
- Cost of tea production increase 10 times
- The forex reserve fell down.
- People start hoarding food items that further boost the issue and military intervention to counter the issue.
- How much does Sri Lanka depend on Chemical Fertilisers?
- The production of rice in Sri Lanka is 94% depended on chemical fertilizers
- The production of rubber and tea is 89% depended on chemical fertilizers
- The island has around 3500 tonnes of organic waste produce every day which can be converted to 2 – 3 million tonnes of compost but the issue arises as the rice cultivation alone needs 4 million tonnes of compost annually at the rate of 5 tonnes per hectare. For tea plantations need another 3 million tones.
Way Forward
- In the present crisis in Sri Lanka the support extended by India on humanitarian ground is significant as it acts as soft power on the island.
Content Source : The Hindu