Sugarcane cultivation in Sri Lanka - By Jayadeva De Silva

Sugarcane cultivation in Sri Lanka – By Jayadeva De Silva

Sugarcane cultivation in Sri Lanka, primarily for sugar production, faces several challenges and opportunities.

Challenges:

1. Low Productivity: Compared to global standards, Sri Lanka’s sugarcane yields are low due to inefficient farming techniques and poor soil management.
2. Climatic Vulnerability: Droughts and erratic rainfall patterns, exacerbated by climate change, affect crop reliability.
3. Competition: The local industry struggles against cheaper imports, limiting profitability for domestic producers.

Opportunities:

1. Government Support: Recent initiatives aim to expand local production to reduce reliance on imports.
2. Potential for Biofuel: Sugarcane offers opportunities for producing ethanol, a sustainable energy source.

Improving irrigation, adopting modern technologies, and integrating sugarcane into biofuel production could revitalize the sector. However, overcoming inefficiencies and competition will require significant investment and reform.