Find Agriculture expertise in Sri Lanka
- Industry
- Development
Industry
Agriculture, together with forestry and fisheries, contributes 14% of Sri Lanka’s GDP (2010). Agriculture accounts for 41.6% of land use and employs 33% of the population. Sri Lanka’s year round moderate climate, fertile soil and biannual monsoon rains create ideal conditions for agriculture in the country. As a result, the agricultural sector has always performed as a major economic force in Sri Lanka, making a significant contribution to the national economy, food security and employment. Agriculture is the livelihood of the majority of the country’s rural population and plays a key role in alleviating rural poverty. The country’s main agricultural products include tea, sugarcane, spices and rubber which are exported to India, Europe and North America. Other important crops and livestock are rice, grains, pulses, oilseed, coconuts, milk, eggs, hides, beef and fish. The Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for the formulation and implementation of the country’s agricultural policy.
Development
The World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index (2012-2013) ranks Sri Lanka 33rd out of 144 countries in relation to agricultural policy costs with a score of 4.3 out of 7, above the world mean of 3.9. The Ministry’s plans for the future of the agricultural sector involve providing food security and increasing competitive exports to the world market. Development plans for the sector include improving agricultural infrastructure such as access roads and water supply as well as access to agricultural technology. The Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP) runs the National Awards for Excellence in Agricultural Research, which are intended to recognise and promote agricultural research in the country. Urban agriculture initiatives have received much attention in Sri Lanka. The Resources Centre on Urban Agriculture and Food Security (RUAF) promotes urban agriculture programmes in the country and the Family Business Gardens (FBG) programme, which was launched by the Western Province Department of Agriculture in 2009 to tackle poverty and hunger and promote sustainable horticulture in cities.
| Agriculture organisations in Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|
| National Cleaner Production Centre |
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| Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation |
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| Tea Board |
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