Fertiliser ban threatens food security; banned products reaching hands of farmers

CropLife Sri Lanka, an association of agricultural product importers, distributors of crop protection products and other participants, warned yesterday that food security was at high risk as many farmers were reluctant to engage in farming activities due to the lack of chemical-based fertiliser. 

The situation has been compounded by substandard products and crop protection methods promoted by some quarters that only serve to further deteriorate the quality of produce, the association added. 

A limited number of crop protection products have received approval for import from the Government; however, this is inadequate for meeting the requirement of the Maha Season. 

CropLife says it has discussed the issues with authorities at several instances, but to no avail. The association noted that this new policy on agriculture would necessitate the increased use of weedicides, while they charged that several illegal banned products that pose significant health risks were already making their way into the hands of desperate farmers.

CropLife Sri Lanka also indicated that, with the existing shortage of proper crop protection inputs, farmers were hesitant to start their cultivations for the already-started Maha season. As per CropLife Sri Lanka, this situation is directly threatening the food security of the country and they expect the relevant authorities to take action to resolve this matter urgently and make necessary arrangements to permit the supply of crop protection products through previously used supply procedures and marketing and distribution channels.

CropLife Sri Lanka and its member companies have registered around 150 molecules under Registrar of Pesticides. All these products are legitimately registered according to the strict regulatory guidelines assigned by the Pesticide Regulation Act and these companies had been supplying standard quality products to local farming communities until the importation ban for synthetic agriculture chemicals was imposed on 27 April 2021.