Raising paddy productivity

Dr. Mathu H. Liyanage

Rice production has been an important and valued mainstay in Sri Lanka's agriculture from times immemorial in its long and glorious history. Rice is not only the staple food of Sri Lankans but the production of paddy also provides employment to rural people, reduce the gap between the rich in urban areas and the poor living in rural, agricultural regions, and cut down the imports of rice from overseas countries appreciably, saving valuable foreign exchange.

The total land devoted for paddy cultivation is estimated to be about 708,000 hectares. In 2007-2008 Maha season, the total domestic production of paddy was 2,125,170 MT (metric tons); 1,750,029 MT in 2008 Yala season; and 2,383,989 MT in 2008-09 Maha season.

Fertilizer subsidy scheme has given an impetus to development of agriculture. File photo

In 2005, the total supply of rice for human consumption including imports was 2,053,000 MT and the total local production was about 52,000 MT - though a wide gap mainly due to the ruthless 30-year civil disturbances in the North and the East, the large rice-producing regions of the country with equally industrious and diligent farmers.

It may not be unrealistic to think that narrowing the gap due to the energetic efforts of the government and the tremendous assistance given to the farming community both financially and materially by the government and other related government institutions is not far-fetched.

The fertilizer subsidy scheme has given an impetus to the development of agriculture in Sri Lanka especially rice production.

Governments since 1979, when the National Fertilizer Secretariat was established, have been subsidizing fertilizers, as done in both developing and developed countries.

Paddy production in Sri Lanka has increased considerably during the last three or four decades as a result of high yielding varieties of seed paddy, increase in cultivable land with irrigation facilities and greater use of nutrients. High yielding varieties are said to be highly responsive to fertilizers.

Guaranteed price schemes for paddy, major irrigation schemes and fertilizer subsidy schemes by successive governments have acted as a stimulus to the process of increasing paddy production over the years.

The 2008 Budget gave sweeping changes to agriculture and processing industries by abolition of taxes (value added tax for rice-based products) and writing-off loans (Bad loans of small and medium-sized paddy millers) and more importantly, more cash for subsidized fertilizers.

The allocation for the fertilizer subsidy was increased from Rs 10 billion to 15 billion. An additional Rs 40,000 million was subsequently allocated to meet its commitments and a further Rs 27,000 million was added later as an increase for 2009.

Taking a swipe at chemical fertilizers, President Mahinda Rajapaksa thought they were harmful to the environment and the health of people, and allocated 500 million rupees to promote organic fertilizer use.

The fertilizer subsidy was one of the building blocks of the Mahinda Chintana economic foundation, which is now beginning to show tangible results despite its pressure on stringent government finances.

Some quarters argued that fertilizer was a negligible component in the production of paddy compared with tractors, labour and costs of harvesting and threshing, and suggested increasing the price of paddy paid to farmers as a more feasible measure in lieu of the subsidy. Though it appears to be a bit sound on the face of it, it is wishful thinking that cash coming in to the hands of farmers at times pressed with other domestic needs would really be used to buy the required quotas of fertilizer they need.

The demand for fertilizer has increased tremendously, encouraging agricultural development and the resultant and amazing increase in production of paddy at such low costs undoubtedly made possible by the government and agricultural institutions by providing the necessary resources, advice and encouragement.

Of the total 800,000 MT fertilizer imports in 2008, 600,000 Metric Tons were for paddy cultivation.

The total 800,000 MT exceeded the average fertilizer imports per year, which ranged from 600,000 MT to 650,000 MT.

Recommencement of paddy cultivation in the North and the East has boosted the use of fertilizer, increasing the productivity of paddy and hopes for realizing the cherished dream that Sri Lanka will be self-sufficient in rice in the not too distant future.