Farmers foresee drop in harvest due to govt.'s rush to embrace organic fertilizer

• 94% of paddy farmers dependent on chemical fertilizers• Majority of farmers supportive of govt.’s policy of switching to organic farming practices• But urge for realistic timeframe to implement the turn• Cite lack of knowledge on organic farming practices as the biggest challenge• Alongside rice, tea and rubber sectors also expected to take a hit

Sri Lanka’s food security is likely to take a hit in the short- term as farmers across the island expect a drop in harvest with the government’s new fertilizer policy that is introduced to promote organic farming practices.

The Farmers’ Pulse survey carried out by the Colombo-based think-tank Verité Research revealed that while 44 percent of farmers experienced a decline in harvest after the ban was imposed, 85 percent expect a decline in future harvest.

Over 90 percent of farmers surveyed said they currently use chemical fertilizer and the ban would hamper the output.