Sri Lanka's Economic Crisis Calls for Urgent Action on Food Security

The Urgent Need for Youth Engagement in Farming: A Solution to Sri Lanka's Food Crisis

"Please, youth should engage in farming," emphasized by me several times recognizing the critical role of young individuals in addressing Sri Lanka's ongoing economic crisis and its impact on food security. The country's predicament has steadily worsened, burdening the poor and vulnerable segments of society. The adverse effects of debt problems have permeated every aspect of the economy, resulting in dire consequences.

Sri Lanka finds itself amid a food crisis, exacerbated by global disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, and geopolitical events like Russia's invasion of Ukraine earlier this year. While these factors have affected food supplies worldwide, Sri Lanka's specific food insecurity primarily stems from the prevailing economic crisis and short-sighted policies enforced by local policymakers.

One such policy misstep was the abrupt ban on chemical fertilizer imports, which proved costly and resulted in reduced harvests. Although the ban has since been reversed, its repercussions continue to reverberate throughout the food system. The significant drop in domestic yield has forced policymakers to spend more on importing commodities that were previously produced locally, including staple foods like rice. This approach has been detrimental, especially considering the country's limited foreign reserves. Furthermore, government-imposed import controls have led to a scarcity of certain food items, causing prices of essential foods to skyrocket. Sri Lanka now ranks among the top five countries with the highest food price inflation, with an alarming 95% increase in food inflation observed in September.

To overcome these challenges and improve food security, a comprehensive set of short-term and long-term measures need to be implemented.

Short-term measures:

1.       Integrated Approach: Recognizing that food security is a complex and holistic issue, it should be incorporated within Sri Lanka's broader agricultural development strategy. This approach necessitates coordination among various sectors, including the environment, rural development, health, and markets. To tackle the problem systematically, governments and institutions must rebalance agricultural policy and investment, focusing on interlinked themes of food security, climate change, biodiversity conservation, and social well-being.

2.       Support for Harvesting: Immediate measures should be taken to facilitate the movement of agricultural inputs, services, and products, including fuel, to support the crucial Yala harvesting period. Ensuring easy access to financial resources for farmers is vital to prevent disruptions in farm activities. Special attention should be given to the development of rural roads to facilitate efficient transportation.

3.       Addressing Malnutrition: Malnutrition significantly impacts children's educational outcomes. In the short term, implementing an immediate and adequate cash transfer program for poor and vulnerable groups can alleviate this issue. Additionally, providing school meals can help improve the intellectual and physical capabilities of children affected by malnutrition.

4.       Women's Empowerment: Increasing women's access to land and natural resources is crucial for enhancing food security. Aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 5, efforts should focus on providing women farmers, especially in the northern and eastern regions of Sri Lanka, with access to resources like forests and fisheries. These resources can serve as vital additional sources of nutritional diversity.

Long-term measures:

1.       Biotechnology and Genetic Modification: While biotechnology holds potential for a second green revolution, it is essential to carefully consider the implications of genetically modified (GM) foods. The concerns raised by proponents of food sovereignty regarding GM foods are valid, as the control exerted by large foreign corporations over local production and distribution can undermine food security. Sri Lanka must thoroughly evaluate all aspects related to genetically modified foods before implementing any initiatives to ensure food security.

2.       Climate Change Adaptation: Adopting both top-down and bottom-up approaches is crucial for implementing climate policy integration that supports adaptive planning. Long-term strategies to improve food security should incorporate mitigation and adaptation methods based on farmers' traditional knowledge, experience, and awareness of the ecological environment. Providing support to farmer groups, establishing information networks, improving access to markets and value chains, promoting credit availability, enhancing irrigation infrastructure, and introducing disaster-resistant food crops are essential for successful adaptation.

3.       Investment in Education: Governments should prioritize investing in the education sector, particularly primary education in rural areas, to combat food insecurity effectively. Education plays a pivotal role in promoting overall national food security, providing individuals with critical thinking skills and practical tools to manage their interactions with the environment. Agricultural extension authorities should also disseminate information about climate change to farming communities, enabling them to cope with the adverse impacts on productivity.

4.       Research and Development: Insufficient investment in Research and Development (R&D) exacerbates long-term hunger and food insecurity. Increasing funding for agricultural R&D to drive innovation in agricultural production is crucial for ensuring food security. Sri Lanka needs a well-designed agenda to invest in agricultural R&D, addressing current shortcomings such as underinvestment, poor infrastructure, and a lack of qualified researchers. Encouraging participation in development by academics, researchers, bureaucrats, and independent thinkers can facilitate coordinated policy responses to food security issues.

In summary, it is evident that the Sri Lankan government's limited understanding of poverty and its reliance on income transfers as the sole solution has failed to address the multifaceted nature of food security. Overcoming this challenge requires a comprehensive, coordinated, and long-term approach that encompasses various sectors and policy areas. Prioritizing the development of skills and capabilities among rural populations, rather than focusing solely on income transfers, is crucial for sustainable progress. By embracing these measures, Sri Lanka can effectively tackle its food security concerns and avoid futile attempts that offer no lasting solutions.