• Agri. sector facing outdated practices, lack of modern technology 
• Lagging behind due to absence of proper plan, lack of latest technology: Karunaratne
• Already introduced several new technologies; committed to further expansion: Amaraweera

Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector is increasingly outpaced by global advancements, leading to a growing dependency on imports to fulfil the nation’s food requirements.

Farmers across the country are raising serious concerns about the persistence of outdated farming practices and the limited adoption of modern technology. They caution that without a comprehensive strategy and substantial investment in the sector, Sri Lanka will continue to fall short in its efforts to achieve agricultural self-sufficiency.

As they explain, this technological lag not only hampers productivity but also undermines the country’s ability to compete with its neighbours, further entrenching its reliance on foreign imports to meet basic food demands.

Need for comprehensive modernisation

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, All-Ceylon Farmers’ Federation (ACFF) President Namal Karunaratne highlighted a significant gap in agricultural productivity between Sri Lanka and neighbouring countries.

“In Sri Lanka, when we sow 50 kg of potato seeds, we only harvest about 400 kg, which is merely eight times the planted amount. In contrast, India achieves over 1,000 kg from the same quantity of seeds,” he explained.

This disparity, he argued, was due to the quality of seeds and the outdated methods still in use in Sri Lanka. “We are still preparing fields using hoes and mammoties – some of the oldest tools in the world – while other countries have adopted modern equipment that significantly boost yields,” he added.

Karunaratne also criticised the Government’s failure to harness the expertise of the country’s qualified agriculture graduates. According to him, despite the presence of knowledgeable professionals, their skills are not being effectively utilised to enhance local agriculture.

He noted that while many developed nations were self-sufficient in agricultural products, Sri Lanka remained heavily dependent on imports. “The core issue is the absence of a proper plan,” he asserted.  

The ACFF President pointed out inadequate budget allocations as another major obstacle. “We receive only a small portion of the budget to improve the agriculture sector, and even that amount is marred by corruption,” he said. “The funds don’t reach farmers directly, yet we spend vast sums on imports.”

Karunaratne stressed the importance of developing post-harvest technologies to prevent waste and stabilise market prices. Using tomatoes as an example, he described how farmers often abandoned their crops during peak seasons due to low market prices. 

“We lack the facilities to freeze, process, or preserve surplus produce, leading to massive waste. Meanwhile, consumers pay inflated prices at markets due to mismanagement,” he lamented.

Karunaratne addressed the need for a comprehensive plan to modernise Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector. “Agriculture is a key player in our economy and we must invest in it by adopting the latest technologies,” he urged.

According to him, without such investment, Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector will continue to lag, further deepening its dependence on imports.

Need for strategic investment

Meanwhile, a recent report by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) reveals that the adoption of modern technologies in the country’s agriculture sector remains limited, affecting both farmers and agribusinesses. 

Despite the development of several e-agriculture programmes aimed at improving productivity – such as mobile apps and ICT platforms providing crucial agricultural information and market prices – broad-based use of these technologies is yet to be realised.

The report highlights initiatives such as Wikigoviya, AgMIS, and Govipola, which are designed to strengthen market linkages and support the farming community. Additionally, the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) is conducting research to develop advanced solutions, including slow-release fertilisers and nanofungicidal formulations.

However, the CBSL notes that the adoption of these technologies is progressing slower than anticipated due to several challenges. These include limited capital, inadequate technical education, and poor internet connectivity in rural areas. The reluctance of tech-savvy youth to engage in farming and a general lack of awareness about available services also contribute to the slow pace of technological integration.

The report highlights the need for greater investment and strategic efforts to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies in agriculture, which is essential for enhancing productivity and ensuring the sector’s competitiveness.

Fund disbursement 

According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s Annual Performance Report for 2022, significant progress has been made toward achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enhancing national food production. In alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the ministry had managed its development objectives to contribute to these global targets.

In 2022, the ministry allocated substantial funds to various development programmes. This included Rs. 45 million for a youth entrepreneurship programme, Rs. 610 million for the introduction of modern technology in agriculture, and Rs. 50 million for another youth entrepreneurship programme focused on agricultural and animal breeding production. Additionally, a total of Rs. 11,705 million had been invested in projects funded by foreign loans. 

Other allocations included Rs. 20 million for socioeconomic research in the agriculture sector conducted by the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute, Rs. 20 million for the formulation of a national agriculture policy in collaboration with universities, Rs. 3,150 million for procurement activities by the Paddy Marketing Board, and Rs. 610 million for social security programmes for farmers, managed by the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board.

The report highlights that out of the Rs. 610 million allocated for the development programme aimed at introducing modern technology in agriculture, Rs. 483.78 million had been spent, achieving a financial progress of 79.31%. 

A key initiative under this programme was the establishment of soil testing facilities at the agricultural service centre level. This initiative was designed to optimise fertiliser use by testing soil at the ‘yaya’ level and providing nutrients tailored to specific soil conditions, ultimately reducing the misuse of fertilisers and decreasing unnecessary imports.

As part of this project, 50 soil test kits had been distributed in the Colombo and Gampaha Districts, and 19,750 Soil Health Cards had been issued in Anuradhapura. Supervision and operational support were provided to districts including Anuradhapura, Kandy, and Ampara. 

Additionally, 14,950 soil samples had been tested across various districts and 562 mobile soil test kits had been replenished with the necessary filling liquids. The programme also planned to introduce a mobile application for the online retrieval of soil test data, further streamlining the process.

Govt. response

In response to concerns raised by farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture stated that it had launched several programmes aimed at introducing new technologies, including high-yielding crops and innovative methods of plantation and harvesting. 

“It is a matter of whether farmers are eager to learn these new technologies. However, we recently introduced drone technology for fertilisation and most farmers have begun using it because it is a cost-effective method. Additionally, new seed varieties and crop methodologies have also been introduced,” a senior official from the Ministry of Agriculture told The Sunday Morning.

When asked whether the ministry had conducted estimates and evaluations on the application of these new technologies, the official emphasised that the programmes had been initiated after 2021 with the limited budget allocations provided by the Government. “We are planning to include the expenditure for the new technology applications in upcoming budget allocations,” the official added.

In response to concerns raised by farmer unions about the lack of new technologies in agriculture, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera asserted that the Government had, in fact, introduced several new technological methods and appliances.

“We have implemented a number of new technological advancements and methods, many of which are already in use by farmers,” Minister Amaraweera said.  

He further said that the Government was committed to expanding the adoption of these technologies within the local agriculture sector in the future.