Rise up soon to save the rising rice crisis

தென்னிலங்கை விவசாயி

Rise up soon to save the rising rice crisis

By Ceylon Today -January 29, 2025 

The recent warnings from small and medium-scale rice mill owners about the potential rise in rice prices—possibly exceeding Rs 300 per kg – highlight the deepening agricultural crisis in Sri Lanka. The price of paddy has recently surged to between Rs 140 and Rs 170 per kg, pushing up production costs for mill owners and farmers alike. The Government has offered Odapana loans to small and medium-scale paddy mill owners to purchase wet paddy at Rs 95 per kg and dry paddy at Rs 115. However, these measures have not been enough to alleviate the crisis. Many farmers, frustrated by delays in the government’s announcement of a guaranteed paddy price, have opted to sell their harvest to private buyers who offer up to Rs 170 per kg.

This shift in the market has led to alarming increases in rice prices. In many shops, rice shortages have become a growing issue, with the only varieties available being local Basmati rice, priced between Rs 250 and Rs 270 per kg. This steep rise in rice prices is a threat to food security, especially for the poorer households who rely on rice as a staple food. A decline in production since 2022, disruptions in the distribution chain, rising inflation, and market manipulation by large producers are thought to be factors for the shortage. And with that, as prices soar, rice has become unaffordable for many, prompting calls for stronger government intervention to regulate prices and ensure proper distribution of rice which is the nation’s staple food.

What we’re witnessing is more than just a temporary shortage. It’s a sign of how fragile Sri Lanka’s agricultural system has become. Once known as the ‘Granary of the East’, the country now finds itself dependent on imports to meet rice demand. In December last year, Sri Lanka imported 70,000 tons of rice from India to address what officials called an ‘artificial shortage’. This shift represents a stark departure from the country’s previous self-sufficiency in rice.  Although the government has taken some steps, like importing rice and pledging to take action against traders accused of hoarding, these actions have been largely reactive. The agricultural sector has faced years of neglect, leaving it vulnerable to both internal policy failures and external pressures.

This crisis calls for the urgent need for structural changes in the agricultural industry. In many developed countries, farmers are valued and financially secure, but in Sri Lanka, they remain among the poorest. The disparity becomes even more glaring when considering the vast tracts of unused paddy land across the country. The lack of youth involvement in farming is a critical issue. Many young Sri Lankans are encouraged to pursue Degrees in fields unrelated to Agriculture, leaving most of them either unemployed or working in low-paying jobs such as driving tuk-tuk or leaving abroad for menial work.

In contrast, farming in many developed nations is not only respected but also profitable, with solid support systems in place to ensure the sector’s growth. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, does not promote agriculture as a career, and as a result, the agricultural workforce is ageing, and production is on the decline. To address this, the government must shift the narrative and actively encourage youth to pursue careers in agriculture. Offering incentives, training, and subsidies could make farming a viable and attractive profession. Agricultural education should be a priority, and young people should be equipped with the tools they need to succeed in the sector.

Beyond that, the Government must prioritise sustainable farming practices and modern agricultural technology to boost production, reduce the country’s reliance on imports, and help Sri Lanka return to its previous self-sufficiency in rice. Encouraging youth involvement in farming is a key step in revitalising the agricultural sector, which could address both food security and economic challenges in the long run.

As Sri Lanka faces the ongoing rice crisis, it’s clear that superficial solutions won’t be enough. The root causes need to be tackled head-on. Only by building a thriving agricultural sector can Sri Lanka hope for a future where rice and other basic foods are both affordable and readily available for all its citizens. But can we afford to wait for change, or will we find ourselves eternally dependent on imports for the foreseeable future?