Picture the emerald-green terraces of Sri Lankan tea country, a postcard-perfect symbol of agricultural abundance. Now, picture a farmer in the dry zone anxiously watching the sky, waiting for rains that are months overdue. This is the stark reality facing Sri Lanka, a nation whose rich farming heritage is now on the front lines of the climate crisis.
With its food security and economic stability at stake, the island nation is embarking on a critical mission: to forge The Next Green Revolution. Unlike the first revolution, which focused singularly on yield, this new chapter is about balance. It’s a strategic pivot to Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), an approach that seeks to increase productivity, enhance resilience, and reduce agriculture's environmental footprint all at once.
Why a New Revolution is Non-Negotiable?
The first Green Revolution of the 20th century successfully boosted harvests with high-yielding crop varieties and chemical fertilizers. But this came at a cost: degraded soils, depleted water tables, and a loss of biodiversity.
A climate in crisis now compounds these legacy challenges. According to the World Bank, Sri Lanka is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Farmers face a new set of brutal realities:
Erratic Rainfall: The 2016-2017 drought affected over 900,000 people and devastated rice production, a national staple.
Rising Temperatures: Research from the Sri Lanka Tea Board indicates that rising temperatures can reduce tea yields by 10-15% for every 1°C increase, threatening the nation's prized export.
Extreme Weather: Unpredictable floods and landslides can wipe out entire harvests overnight, pushing smallholder the backbone of the agricultural sectordeeper into poverty.
 |
| Image credit : https://economynext.com/ |
The message is clear: the old ways are no longer sufficient. A smarter, more resilient system is essential for survival.
The Three Pillars of a Climate-Smart Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's strategy is built on the three core pillars of Climate-Smart Agriculture, adapted to its unique landscape and culture.
Pillar 1: Sustainably Increasing Productivity & Incomes
The goal is to produce more with less, and do it sustainably.
Reviving Soil Health: The country is moving away from chemical reliance by promoting compost, green manure, and bio-fertilizers. Initiatives like the national "Api Wawamu - Rata Nagamu" (Let Us Cultivate - Strengthen the Nation) program have been pivotal in encouraging home gardening and organic practices, improving soil organic matter and reducing input costs for farmers.
Smarter Crop Varieties: Science is leading the charge. The Department of Agriculture and research institutes like the Field Crops Research and Development Institute (FCRDI) have developed breakthrough rice varieties such as Bg 310 and Bg 374, which are specifically bred for drought and submergence tolerance. These varieties can maintain stable yields even under stressful climatic conditions, providing a safety net for millions of farmers.
Pillar 2: Adapting and Building Resilience
Adaptation is about preparing for the changes already underway.
Water Wisdom: In a country where water is becoming scarce, efficient management is key. The adoption of drip and sprinkler irrigation is on the rise, cutting water usage by up to 40% compared to traditional flooding methods. Furthermore, Sri Lanka is looking to its past for a solution, reviving the ancient "Ellanga" (cascading tank) system. This ingenious network of interconnected reservoirs captures and stores rainwater, recharging groundwater and providing a buffer against droughts.
Agroforestry: Farmers are increasingly integrating trees into their cropping systems. Trees provide shade, reduce soil erosion, improve biodiversity, and offer additional income from fruit or timber, creating a more stable and diversified farm ecosystem.
Data to the Farmer: Mobile technology is a game-changer. SMS-based alert systems now deliver crucial, real-time information to farmers' phones, including weather forecasts, pest warnings, and market prices, empowering them to make informed decisions.
Pillar 3: Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Sri Lankan agriculture is also looking to reduce its climate impact.
Precision Farming: Using technology to apply water, fertilizers, and pesticides only where and when needed minimizes waste and reduces nitrous oxide emissions potent greenhouse gas.
Greener Rice Cultivation: Rice paddies are a significant source of methane. The promotion of the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) technique, which involves periodically draining fields, can reduce methane emissions by up to 50% without sacrificing yield.
Case Study 1: The Regenerated Farm in the Dry Zone
In Anuradhapura, a farmer who switched to drought-tolerant seeds and drip irrigation now uses 40% less water while maintaining his family’s income, even in dry years.
Reference: This story is inspired by the work of organizations like the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and Sri Lanka's Department of Agriculture in promoting drip irrigation and climate-resilient seeds in the Dry Zone.
- A project by IWMI and the Government of Sri Lanka demonstrated that Drip Irrigation systems can save 30-50% of water and increase crop yields by 20-50% for vegetables compared to traditional furrow irrigation.
- The dissemination of drought-tolerant rice varieties like Bg 359 and Bg 374 is a documented strategy by the Field Crops Research and Development Institute (FCRDI) to combat yield loss in rain-fed areas.
Case study 2: Climate Smart Tea Estate
On a tea estate in Nuwara Eliya, the introduction of shade trees and soil conservation practices has not only protected the delicate crop from heat stress but also helped the estate secure premium contracts with international buyers who value sustainable sourcing.
Reference: This narrative draws from the sustainability initiatives promoted by the Sri Lanka Tea Board and various ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reports from major tea producers.
- The Sri Lanka Tea Board's "Sustainability Report" actively encourages shade management and soil conservation as core practices for climate resilience.
- Global certification bodies like Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade have standards that include agroforestry and soil health, which estates adopt to access premium international markets. Major brands often feature their sustainable sourcing from specific estates that employ these practices.
Case Study 3: The Women’s collective Leading the way.
A women’s collective in the Central Province runs a successful organic vegetable garden, selling their produce directly to consumers at Colombo's "Good Market." This initiative has tripled their household income while building a resilient, chemical-free local food network.
Reference: This story is representative of numerous successful community-based organizations (CBOs) and women's groups supported by NGOs and linked to markets like Good Market Lanka.
Organizations like Oxfam and Practical Action have historically run projects in Sri Lanka focusing on empowering women farmers through organic agriculture and market linkages, with documented success stories of increased income and community resilience.
The Road Ahead: Cultivating a Resilient Future
The path forward is not without its challenges. The initial cost of new technologies, the need for widespread training, and ensuring fair market access for farmers remain significant hurdles.
However, the opportunities are immense. By embracing CSA, Sri Lanka can position its key export tea, cinnamon, and spices as a global "green brand," commanding premium prices in an increasingly conscious international market. The potential to generate carbon credits through emission-reducing practices offers another stream of income. Most importantly, this transition can inspire a new generation of tech-savvy "agri-preneurs" to see farming not as a relic of the past, but as a dynamic, vital career for the future.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka's journey towards Climate-Smart Agriculture is more than a government policy; it is a national imperative. It is a testament to the resilience of its people and a strategic investment in a future where the country can feed itself, protect its natural resources, and thrive in the face of climate change. By learning from the past and innovating for the future, Sri Lanka is not just adapting, but is seeking to become a model for the next green revolution, proving that a climate-smart nation is a prosperous one.
Dr. Nimra Hassaan
0 Comments