CEA in Sri Lanka

(1) Sri Lankan Agriculture in a nutshell

• Agro-ecol zones (map)• Population density 319 (persons per sq. km)• Contribution to GDP 11.9% (in 2008)

• Labour share 31.3% (in 2008)

• Arable lands 1,910 (‘000 ha) (14.17%)• CEA

Agricultural Statistics – S. L.Crop (Production in metric tons)

2008 2009 2010

Tea 317.7* 291,100 329,400Rubber 129.2* 136,900 152,900Coconut 2909** 2,853** 2,317Paddy (rice) 3,341,922 3,131,079 4,300,625Other field crops 400,071 492,320 804,390Vegetables 651,239 719,435 810,869Fruits 545,071 552,589 604,752

Floriculture 8038b (14824 holdings)

Fruit/ Veg. Imports 92 86.2

Fruit/ Veg. Exports 836.2 741.7

Others

* Million kgs ** million nuts b : ha

Inception and LandmarksFruits and Vegetables• In 1997 – USAIDS Project – AgEnt (Highlands)• In 1999 -03 - UNDP – Project in Uva Province • In 2006 -08 -Indian Credit line – 1000 Poly-houses in

Uva Province• Since 1997 todate – PAEA (Protected Agriculture

Entrepreneurs Association)

• Main activities

• Greenhouse designs, new crops/ hybrid seeds, climate control, fertilizer formulations, expertise, micro irrigation, crop management and quality assurance

Inception and Landmarks

Floriculture (Cut-flowers and foliage plants)• Since 1970s – Large-scale, export-oriented foliage ornamental

firms with foreign collaborations• Since Early 1980’s - Anthurium and Orchid cut flower

production• Since Late 1980s – Carnations , Chrysanthemums for export• Since 1990s – Flower seed Production, Roses and other cut

flowers and pot plants for local and export markets• Main activities

• Screen/ net houses, new crops/ Varieties , New propagation methods, climate control, Specialty fertilizers, GAP and Five Ss; Foreign expertise, Sanitaion, micro irrigation and Post control and marketing

Main Sectors: Floriculture - IFoliage Ornamentals: - Dracaena -Dieffenbachia-Codiaeum-Livistonia-Cordyline-HostaShade-loving tropical cut flowers - orchids and anthurium-in low elevations under warm and shady conditions - Mainly for the Export Market

Main Sectors: Floriculture -IISun-loving Temperate or sub-tropical cut flowersRoseCarnations ChrysanthemumsGerbera- in low elevations under warm and shady conditions - Mainly for the Local Markets

Main Sectors: Vegetables & Small Fruits

Fruit-Vegetables, Leafy vegetables:TomatoBell / Sweet PepperGreen / Japanese CucumberLettuce, Cauliflower, English herbsAnd Strawberryin Mid and High elevations under mild weather Mainly for the Local Markets

Technology: 1. Greenhouse types / Designs

– Soft-plastic tunnels with natural ventilation

Internal climate control:

Forced-air ventilation: Blowers for exhaust

Shade nets and thermal covers

Misting

Shade/ Net HousesWith fully or partially open sides

2. Fertigation / Hydroponics

• Complete Plant Nutrient Mixtures

• i.e. Alberts fertilizer (CIC, UniPower)

• Sterilized Coco-peat + Sand media

• Drip Fertigation

• EC and pH Control

• Drainage and Washing out

Grow bag culture i.e. Greenhouse Vegetables in Sri Lanka

Other Technologies: 1. Nursery Management

2. Pest Control – Chemical and Physical methods

(Use of Botanicals and Biological control is low)

3. Pollination – Manual

4. Mechanization – Very low

5. Sanitation - Satisfactory

Other Technologies: Fruit Growth manipulation and harvesting

5. Fruit Thinning

6. Minimizing Physiological disorders

7. Manipulation of the Continuity of Fruit set

8. Use of Harvesting indices, Timing and Methods of Harvesting

Pack house Operations • Cleaning - • Sorting -• Packaging and labeling (in

some cases)Transport: by refrigerated/

normal vehicles

Post-harvest handling and Marketing

Marketing of Fruits and vegetables

To high-value local markets

i.e. Sri Lankan (Airlines) catering

- Hotels and restaurants

- Departmental Stores

Marketed by PAEA (60% of the produce through Value-chain management )

Marketing: Floriculture

Exports: Producers on Forward-contracts with buyers

Local Markets: Florists, exhibitions, farm-gate sales

Input Supplies(Dominated by the Private Sector)

• Greenhouse constructions• Greenhouse accessories and maintenance• Fertilizers• Growing media and bags• Micro-irrigation• Seeds and planting materials• Chemical pesticides

Research and Developments

Thematic Areas• Cost effective Greenhouse designing and climate

control• Plant nutrient management for high yield, quality,

FUE and sustainability• Variety testing • Crop growth physiology• Eco-friendly P&D management • (Mainly through state funding and in collaboration with the private sector

and growers)

Institutional Support

1. Technical Support and Input Supplies –

- PAEA (Protected Culture Entrepreneurs Association) Peradeniya,

- CIC, UniPower, Haylese, Agriworld, Sunfrost

- Dept. of Agriculture I,e. HORDI, ISTI and AVC

3. R and D - Dept. of Agriculture – HORDI, Food Research Unit

Universities – Peradeniya University

5. Marketing – PAEA, Exporters, Other value-chains

Constraints• Marketing and Exports• Low productivity• Climate control (i.e. combating high temperature)• Unavailability of improved planting materials (For

vegetables) and patent barriers (for floriculture)• Quality of technical inputs (i.e. plastics, irrigation systems

and fertilizers)• Waste disposal (in the future)• Low investment capacity of small-growers• Appropriate IPM strategies• Low degree of partnerships for two-way

transformation of technical information