Grin and bear or take the right decision for a better tomorrow?
Friday, 31 January 2014 00:56
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By Hemal de Silva
Ref. – Climate change brings an uncertain future to one of the world’s finest teas
(http://www.ft.lk/2014/01/10/climate-change-brings-an-uncertain-future-to-one-of-the-worlds-finest-teas/).
To quote, “The expanding presence of the pest is just one of many surprises that Rajapakshe has waiting for him in his tea garden. Temperatures, dry spells and rainfall have all changed here and in many other Sri Lankan tea gardens. It is too early to assess the overall impact of these changes, but no one doubts their contribution to an uncertain future for Ceylon’s tea crop.” Do smallholder tea growers like Rajapakshe have a future with tea?
To quote Dilmah as well as Kahawatte Plantations PLC Director Dilhan Fernando, “The character of tea will surely change with the influence of a changing climate, as tea is so responsive to natural influence,…….adverse impacts have not yet appeared in Dilmah’s tea plantations in Sri Lanka, but the company will open a research centre this month to track potential threats.” It is good to know someone is taking action before the threat strikes.
To quote the Manager of a Tea estate, “Our future is in the hands of weather god, and we have to go to pray.” It is also said that God helps those who help themselves.
To quote TRI Director Dr. Sarath Abeysinghe, “We don’t know if our tea will become better or worse in the future, but we know it will be different. It is important to be aware of the change and get prepared for adverse impacts.” ‘Be prepared’ a necessity but, how long can small holder growers wait for a solution?
What do the above indicate? Erratic weather patterns and the adverse effects of climate change did not rear its ugly head within the last one or two years. They have been known for many years in the past.
Sri Lanka cannot change these adverse conditions but, have to face them. This does not mean Sri Lankans are not able to take certain steps to reduce the effects of adverse conditions.
It is heartening to note that, “Agronomists are trying to revive an abandoned tradition of growing trees with tea bushes, aiming to help this shade-grown plant survive in the warmer climate. Despite some proven success, researchers say their job is still far from being done.”
‘Exotic’ vegetable fats are extracted from the seeds of perennial tree crops that in some cases will be productive for well over a century. High yields can be obtained at a low cost of production (COP) and with little labour. The COP and the labour requirement will be less than for coconut, the ‘Lazy man’s crop’.
Several species that are suitable for the wet, intermediate and dry zones are available and some can be seen growing successfully in Sri Lanka, though on a very small scale. Those who have some concern for reducing the adverse effects of climate change should look into the possibilities of growing perennial tree crops that have the potential to ‘Increase exports and reduce imports’, another serious problem faced by the SL economy.
When coffee was failing not everyone ran away. Notably, the reclusive James Taylor was finally successful with ‘Camellia sinensis’ trying it out along the roads of his estate. This happened about 150 years ago.
It is never too late to use one’s common sense and take the right decision for a better tomorrow.
