Fertiliser ban bane for 45% price increase in agri products: Croplife

Croplife Sri Lanka on Friday disclosed that agriculture production cost rose 67% during the last quarter of 2021 whilst production slumped by 54% due to the Government’s decision to ban imports of chemical fertiliser.

“As a result, prices of agricultural produce increased by much as 45% adding to the cost-of-living crisis impacting the country,” the company said at a forum it hosted focusing on the “Role of Agric-Inputs in Food Security” featuring several leading private and public sector experts from the industry.

“The Government was forced to go back on its decision, but its adverse impacts are still felt today and will be for longer,” Croplife Sri Lanka Chairman Chamenda Wijerathne told the forum.

“On the back of this crisis, inferior quality fertiliser, weedicides and insecticides have made their way into the market. Some of them have come in through illegal channels. Due to their low cost some farmers have opted to use these harmful products on fields,” he added.

Noting that farmers lacked proper understanding on how to use these products, Croplife initiated a program to protect farmers, the industry and produce from such schemes. This initiative also encompasses the agriculture ministry and is vital for the sustainability of the industry according to Wijerathne.

Croplife Sri Lanka is the local arm of Croplife International and Croplife Asia. It consists of importers and manufacturers of agricultural inputs registered with the Department of Agriculture and aims to ensure agriculture and farmer sustainability through innovation.