Sustaining agriculture, an uphill task

by Lalin Fernandopulle

Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector is in dire straits due to the lack of new technology and innovation to spearhead growth and attract the younger generation to the sector, University dons told a workshop on ‘Commercialisation of Innovation in Agriculture’ organised by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka last week.

A panel comprising lecturers from the University of Peradeniya said that unless major steps are taken to introduce new technology and promote innovation, sustaining agricultural activity will be an uphill task.

Director, Agribusiness Centre, University of Peradeniya, Dr. L.H.P Gunaratne said the younger generation is moving out of agriculture in search for white-collar jobs and greener pastures.

“We need to make the sector attractive with modern technology that will enhance yield and achieve self-sufficiency in food production.

The high cost of production that makes our exports such as tea uncompetitive is another major issue that needs to be urgently addressed,” academics said.

Participants at the workshop stressed the importance of creating a vibrant link among university and research personnel and called on the private sector, facilitated by the Chambers, to disseminate information on agriculture to boost innovation and achieve higher production.

Agri research does not meet industry needs and often they are confined to library shelves or accumulate dust in research houses.

Wide stakeholder cooperation is vital to develop the agricultural and animal husbandry sectors which face many challenges due to lack of application of research and development.The universities and research institutions should ensure that the hard work they have put in and their contribution to the sector is made good use of by farmers and the private sector which sells their produce, the participants said.

Chairman, International Food Company and Honorary Secretary of the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, Sarath de Silva said, “We need to take a cue from India, Thailand and many countries in the region that have universities which are open to people to walk in and discuss with academics and research officials to enhance their knowledge on new techniques of cultivation and harvesting to boost yield and minimise post-harvest damage.”

“Our universities should be more open to the public and interact with the private sector to commercialise innovation in agriculture. Our tea export revenue can go beyond the US $ 1.5 billion mark with more value addition and innovation.

We need a collaborative effort to take the agricultural industry to the next level”, he said.

Industry experts said that there should be a one-stop-shop comprising all stakeholders of the industry to disseminate information on agriculture and modern trends in the sector.

Universities and research institutions should not wash off their hands leaving research work to remain on shelves. They should publicise research through the media.Private sector experts said that Sri Lanka has adequate research on agriculture which is not used in the field but rather sold to other countries.The lack of investment in research and development and diminishing land area for agriculture are pressing issues, academics said.

Sri Lanka’s diminishing land area, unlike in Europe which has vast swathes of land for agriculture, is a hindrance to expand cultivation, de Silva said.

Dr. W.A.P Weerakkody of the Department of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya said that only around 100 hectares of green house cover is used in Sri Lanka and added that there is vast room for improvement for protected agriculture in the country.

He said we need to learn from developed countries that have large areas of poly houses. Protected agriculture is the way forward.

Dr. M.I.M Mowjood of the Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Peradeniya said that Sri Lanka will be unable to increase food production due to water pollution that takes place as a result of negligence of affluent treatment by industries and households.