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Sri Lanka’s rice production is a cornerstone of its agriculture, providing sustenance and livelihood to millions. However, the increasing impacts of climate change pose significant challenges to this vital sector.
Current Status of Rice Production
Rice is cultivated during two main seasons: Maha and Yala. In the 2023 Yala season, the net cultivated extent of paddy was approximately 440,304 hectares, yielding a total production of 1,817,391 metric tons. The average yield per hectare stood at 3,822 kg. Read here
Despite these figures, the sector faces challenges in maintaining self-sufficiency. Factors such as fluctuating yields and external dependencies underscore the need for resilience in rice production. See here
Impacts of Climate Change
During a discussion with Dr. Pathmasiri Karunarathne, a researcher at the Rice Research and Development Institute (RRDI), Bathalagoda, he highlighted how both biotic and abiotic factors are significantly impacting rice cultivation in Sri Lanka. According to him, the country’s rice fields have faced severe damage due to unpredictable rainfall patterns, shifting rain intensities, and increasing pest challenges.
However, quantifying the exact yield loss remains difficult. Official records rice extent and gross yield and the amount of rice sold in the market, whereas a substantial portion of the yield is consumed by farmers and their families, making it challenging to determine the actual production loss.
The impact of climate change has been particularly evident during the current Maha season, said Dr. Karunarathne. After struggling to find seeds for cultivation due to the damage caused by the initial flooding, farmers faced further losses when newly planted fields were destroyed by a second, more severe flood, exacerbated by a depression in the Bay of Bengal. While flood-tolerant rice varieties were introduced by RRDI, farmers can recover the damage, even the increasing intensity of extreme weather events exceeded their resilience, resulting in substantial crop losses.
Dr. Karunarathne further emphasized that climate-driven droughts, high temperature and floods are now a significant threat to rice production in major rice growing areas. The increasing frequency and unpredictability of heavy rains and prolonged dry spells make it challenging for farmers to plan their cultivation cycles effectively.
Moreover, the 2017 drought, for instance, caused a notable drop in paddy production, leading to a shortfall in rice for local consumption and necessitating significant imports. Read here
Adaptation and Mitigation Efforts
To combat these challenges, the Rice Research and Development Institute (RRDI) has introduced new rice varieties through rice improvement programs and climate smart new technologies. While a considerable proportion of farmers adopt RRDI’s guidelines and forecasts, a significant number continue traditional farming practices with conventional varieties, said Dr. Pathmasiri.
The RRDI’s Water Management & GIS Division still focused on identifying suitable methods and technologies to minimize the impact of climate change on rice cultivation. They develop new techniques to increase water use efficiency, map soil fertility issues, and engage in training programs for extension officers, farmers, and students.
One notable technology promoted is the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) method for drought management, which has been shown to save water without adversely affecting rice yields. Watch here
Conclusion
The convergence of climate change impacts and inappropriate farming practices presents a complex challenge for Sri Lanka’s rice production. Continuous research, adoption of resilient farming techniques, and proactive adaptation strategies are essential to ensure the sustainability and self-sufficiency of this staple crop. These adaptive new technologies introduce to farmers through proper extention service will minimize the crop loss cause by adverse climate change.
Reference
https://www.fao.org/4/y4347e/y4347e1n.htm
https://doa.gov.lk/rrdi_watermanagement
https://doa.gov.lk/rrdi_watermanagement_lowlandrice
https://doa.gov.lk/rrdi_watermanagement_landpreparation
https://doa.gov.lk/rrdi_watermanagement_waterrequirement
https://doa.gov.lk/rrdi_watermanagement_physiologicalfunctions
https://doa.gov.lk/rrdi_watermanagement_effectofwaterdeficit
https://doa.gov.lk/rrdi_watermanagement_methodofwaterloss
https://www.statistics.gov.lk/Agriculture/StaticalInformation/PaddyStatistics#gsc.tab=0
https://doa.gov.lk/rrdi_rice_introduction-2
https://www.statistics.gov.lk/Agriculture/StaticalInformation/Paddy_Statistics#gsc.tab=0
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Banner Image : Photo by Andhika Y. Wiguna on Unsplash
