Media sources indicated that Sri Lankans paid comparatively higher prices for vegetables & energy during January 2024. With organizational reforms, cost of electricity is expected reduce to bearable levels (for the grassroots). Indian assistance during 2022 crisis was crucial but with more energy involvements, one may see profits going elsewhere. The JVP symbolically receiving the bullet proof jacket (like the LTTE leader decades ago) may ease that process but still the consumer may benefit from competitive prices & reduced harmful trade union actions. SL will not be able to set global price records but it’s good to know that as per global stats Ireland paid approx US$ 0.55 (highest) & Qatar paid approx US$ 0.03 (lowest) per kWh during 2023. Those concerned on costs, profits & sovereignty may focus more on harnessing solar & wind power etc. Even when electricity wasn’t yet discovered, agriculture was still paramount. It still remains with some contributions from electricity to increase efficiency in cultivating. Agriculture affects all, not only the grass roots in most societies.

Agriculture

With regard to agricultural inefficiencies causing high prices, citizens may remember the protests (seen unfair by many) when MR government introduced the plastic crates to reduce wastage during transportation. The fertilizer decision of Gotabaya government not only affected farmers & grass root consumers, it damaged SL’s image as a fair trading partner & its historic relations with good friends such as the Peoples Republic of China. Some analysts may see it as an attempt to weaken SL in the region.

In the aftermath of the visit of Vice Minister, Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs of China Ma Youxiang to SL last week, it is important for Sri Lankans to remember; President Xi Jinping offering to purchase surplus agricultural produce from SL (as done from African & European nations) when he met President RW to help SL economic revival. China in fact made the same offer in 2015 as well. As per global stats China is the highest consumer of vegetables in the world. In 2020 it has consumed approx 560 million tons (approx 58% of global consumption). At the same time people living in the British colony ‘Montserrat’ near Cuba has paid the highest prices for vegetables during that period. Chinese commitment in January 2024 to support food security & poverty alleviation in SL through the Yunnan provincial government should be fully utilized. It indicates how China helps to ensure the ‘Right to Life’ of Sri Lankans as it did in 1952 by signing the Rubber Rice Pact.

China is a good case study to learn how renewable energy, digitization & technology are used to increase efficiency in the agricultural sector. Few days back NASA scientists returned to the moon after 55 years with 100 plus mini sculptures. It’s not clear how that will help mankind to face climate change challenges. In 2020, China exposed rice to the lunar atmosphere & successfully experimented cultivating same. That in the long run would help mankind to prevail in challenging climatic conditions. The recent of efforts of ‘SANASA’ to help SL farmers to sell their produce using digital networking will help consumers with middle men marginalized. Similar efforts should be more encouraged by networking such organizations with special economic centres to reduce cost of living.

Photo: HE Ma Youxiang, Vice Minister of Agriculture & Rural Affairs of China

(Views expressed are personal).