Paddy yields drop for Maha season, climate change to hit Yala
Sri Lanka’s paddy yields this year are slow despite the availability of fertiliser with the Maha season recording a reduction in production by 16-20 per cent and the Yala season likely to be impacted by a possible El Nino effect later this year.
The drop in the yields during Maha has also been attributed to a serious misunderstanding of the application of fertiliser in respect of the Department of Agriculture (DOA) recommendation, Peradeniya University Crop Science Senior Prof. Buddhi Marambe told the Business Times.
He pointed out that the recommendation is to apply the full extent of the synthetic fertiliser and then an application of organic fertiliser with the latter required to enhance the uptake of nutrients. On the contrary most misunderstand this recommendation to imply that there be a reduction in the application of synthetic fertiliser that could be replaced with organic fertiliser which is wrong.
He explained that this Maha season is said to be performing better than last year’s production levels as a result of the availability of fertiliser.
However, the drop is attributed to a number of reasons one of which is the fact that some fertilisers were found to be too expensive for farmers and the yellowing of the crop has led to a reduction in yield by 16-20 per cent.
He noted that over 41,000 metric tonnes (MT) of Muriate of Potash (MOP) had landed on time but due to a distribution issue farmers had not received it on time and only 8,000 MT had been distributed. As a result the requirement for Yala is available.
TSP fertiliser amounting 36,000 MT is also due by the end of this month that will be sent by the USAID. Prof. Marambe pointed out that the government needs to make this fertiliser available to farmers as this is the base fertiliser. TSP fertiliser was not available on time due to the fact that there was no one forthcoming to import this stock as a result of the high prices. Subsequently USAID had agreed to provide the necessary requirement.
The government is likely to provide TSP free of charge to paddy farmers and MOP is also being discussed to be provided at a subsidised rate of Rs.10, 000 per 50 kg bag.
Meanwhile, Prof. Marambe points out that as a result of the availability of these fertilisers which went unused during the Maha season could now be provided to farmers on time during the Yala season.
However, he noted that as a result of the issues surrounding climate change Sri Lanka is also likely to be impacted by the El Nino effect that is being predicted by scientists during the latter part of this year.
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