Sugar and Sri Lankan economy

Dr. C. S. Weeraratna Chairman Sugarcane Research Institute

Sugar is one of the main food items consumed in Sri Lanka.

The per capita consumption of sugar in Sri Lanka is around 30 kg which is high when compared to average sugar consumption in the world.

About two decades ago, sugarcane was cultivated in about 25,000 hectares. There were 3,800 ha in Kantale, 5,600 ha in Hingurana, 4,500 ha in Pelawatta, 4,600 ha in Sevanagala and 5,700 ha in Moneragala.

The total production of sugar in Sri Lanka at that time was around 114,000 t annually representing around 20 per cent of the local requirement. Kantale and Hingurana sugarcane plantations were closed due to various reasons, and at present only Pelawatta and Sevanagala sugar factories function.

The total extent under sugarcane at present is around 15,000 hectares. About 4,000 hectares are in Sevanagala, 9,000 hectares in Pelawatta and 2,000 ha in other districts mainly Ampara and Badulla districts, cultivated by smallholder for production of jaggery, sugar syrup, etc.

The total annual requirement of sugar in the country is around 500,000 t but only about 60,000 t are produced locally. The balance has to be imported. In 2006, the foreign exchange involved in importing our sugar needs was around Rs. 23 billion.

A number of by-products from sugarcane are also imported involving around Rs. Five billion annually. Hence, developing the local sugar sector, will save foreign exchange to a considerable extent. It will also increase employment opportunities in the country leading to socio-economic development.

Large extent of land, suitable for sugarcane cultivation are found in Badulla, Moneragala, Galle, Kurunegala and Hambantota districts.

Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI) is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament No. 75 of 1981 to conduct research on cultivation and processing of sugarcane, to cater to technical needs of the sugar industry of Sri Lanka.

The institute has the main research complex at Uda Walawe, about 150 km off Colombo. In addition, the institute has a quarantine farm in Hantana, Kandy, an arrowing station at Deniyaya and a sub-station at Siyambalanduwa (about 175 km from Uda Walawe).

The main goal of the institute is effective utilisation of available resources to maximise productivity of sugarcane cultivation and processing of cane into sugar and other products, with minimum cost, in a sustainable environment.

The institute has eight research divisions.

These are agronomy, biometry and data processing, breeding, chemistry, economics and extension, engineering, microbiology and by-products and pest management.

Sugarcane Research Institute has initiated activities to promote sugarcane cultivation under coconut in Kurunegala district.