As the world grapples with climate change, Sri Lanka finds itself in the throes of a crisis, one that has seen a sharp upsurge in vegetable prices. This spike has been triggered by a lethal mix of harsh weather conditions and diminished crop production. The Central Hills and the North Central Province, the nation’s verdant vegetable havens, have witnessed nearly four months of relentless rain that has wreaked havoc on the crops.
According to Professor Buddhi Marambe of Peradeniya University, the steep price surge and scant supply can be attributed to some farmers losing their entire crop yield, while others refrained from production due to unpredictable rainfall. The adverse weather conditions have also forced farmers to harvest crops prematurely, leading to a decline in demand as the harvested vegetables fall short on quality.
The farming community has been dealt a hard blow economically, with farmers like Chamara Prasad witnessing a drastic reduction in yield. The supply chain, a complex network of multiple players from farmers to end consumers, adds to the cost, making vegetables less affordable. There are concerns about stock being held back to create an artificial demand, but Professor Marambe considers this implausible due to the perishable nature of the produce.
Professor Marambe suggests that improving vegetable storage could help mitigate wastage and price fluctuations. Despite a minor dip in prices, less demanded vegetables remain expensive. To counter this, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and Education Minister Susil Premajayantha have urged residents to cultivate their own vegetables, making optimal use of any available space, including pots and balconies.
The Trade, Commerce and Food Security Ministry is implementing strategies to ensure market fairness and stability, including compelling middlemen to release hoarded vegetables at lower rates. Measures are also being taken to enhance the availability of all vegetables in the market and address seed availability to stabilize the market. Traders at Dedicated Economic Centres have reported a significant decline in vegetable prices due to a drop in demand and challenges in obtaining high-yielding seeds.
The vegetable price surge in Sri Lanka is an unprecedented crisis caused by severe weather conditions and reduced crop production. Relentless rain in the Central Hills and the North Central Province has wreaked havoc on the farming industry, resulting in a scarcity of vegetables and sharp price increases. Some farmers have lost their entire crop yield, while others have refrained from production due to unpredictable rainfall. Premature harvesting has also affected the quality of vegetables, leading to a decline in demand.
Professor Buddhi Marambe of Peradeniya University explains that the adverse weather conditions have severely affected the farming community’s economic well-being. Farmers like Chamara Prasad have witnessed a significant reduction in yield, further exacerbating the scarcity of vegetables. The complex supply chain from farmers to end consumers contributes to the rising prices.
There have been concerns about stock being withheld artificially to manipulate prices, but Professor Marambe dismisses this possibility due to the perishable nature of vegetables. Instead, he suggests focusing on improving vegetable storage to reduce wastage and stabilize prices. Despite a slight decrease in prices, less demanded vegetables remain expensive, putting a strain on consumers.
To address the crisis, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and Education Minister Susil Premajayantha have urged residents to cultivate their own vegetables, even in limited spaces such as pots and balconies. This initiative aims to alleviate the pressure on the market and empower individuals to meet their vegetable needs.
The Trade, Commerce and Food Security Ministry is taking steps to ensure market fairness and stability. Middlemen are being urged to release hoarded vegetables at lower rates, and efforts are being made to enhance the availability of all vegetables in the market. Seed availability is also being addressed to support stable production. Traders at Dedicated Economic Centres have reported a significant decline in vegetable prices, primarily due to reduced demand and challenges in obtaining high-yielding seeds.
As Sri Lanka battles this unprecedented surge in vegetable prices, the government and agricultural experts are working together to mitigate the impact. By addressing storage issues, promoting self-cultivation, and implementing market stability measures, they aim to restore balance and affordability to the vegetable market. The ongoing efforts of various stakeholders are crucial in ensuring a sustainable solution to this crisis, and providing relief to both farmers and consumers alike.
