The struggles of Sri Lankan farmers mirror those faced by agricultural communities worldwide, highlighting the shared urgency of addressing this global challenge.
Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector is at the crossroads of crisis and resilience.
As a student at the Asian University for Women, I have had the privilege to learn about grassroots environmental initiatives like Bangladesh’s Green Bangle Project being implemented in Sitakunda, on the outskirts of Chittagong.
Through this project, which encourages sustainable plantations and climate actions, I came to understand how even small and collective efforts can combat the broader challenge of climate change.
Under the initiative aiming to enhance flood protection, combat coastal erosion, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the region’s ecosystems, more than 1,000 sugar date palm saplings and 500 Palmyra have been planted seeds at Guliakhali Beach in Sitakunda.
In Sri Lanka, agriculture holds a lifeline for rural communities, especially in Tamil-majority regions still recovering from the scars of a three-decade-long civil war. Yet, this critical sector faces relentless strain from climate change.
Erratic weather patterns, unpredictable rainfall, and rising temperatures disrupt farming cycles, reduce yields, and threaten food security.
The struggles of Sri Lankan farmers resemble those suffered by agricultural communities worldwide, highlighting the shared urgency of addressing this global challenge.
Post-war reality and agricultural vulnerabilities
Imagine a Tamil farmer in the Northern Province of the island nation, toiling on parched land, grappling with erratic rainfall and depleted resources. For these farmers, the war did not just leave emotional scars—it also decimated infrastructure and disrupted their traditional farming systems.
From 2012 to 2022, agriculture’s contribution to Sri Lanka’s GDP dropped drastically from 11.2% to just 7%. Natural disasters like the drought of 2022, which cut rice production by 40%, and erratic monsoons further compound their struggles.
In regions like the Jaffna Peninsula, groundwater—a lifeline for agriculture—has become increasingly contaminated. According to reports from as early as 2012, pollutants from industrial waste and fertilizers leach into aquifers.
By 2015, the situation had escalated, with heavy metals and nitrates poisoning the water.
Farmers, lacking access to advanced irrigation systems or climate-smart technologies, must work against environmental degradation and limited resources, a reality that feels more like survival than livelihood.
A tale of floods and droughts
Sri Lanka’s southern regions, like Galle and Matara, tell another chapter of this story—one of floods and erosion. In May 2017, relentless rains triggered severe flooding, washing away nutrient-rich soil, and leaving behind barren land.
Entire farming communities were devastated, with crop yields plummeting and financial losses mounting.
Similarly, in the North Central Province, the narrative shifts to droughts. The prolonged dry spells of 2016 and 2017 pushed farmers to draw water from deep aquifers, unknowingly increasing salinity and degrading soil quality.
The numbers do not just reflect statistics – they tell stories of farmers forced to abandon their fields, of families plunged into poverty, and of once-thriving agricultural lands turning to wastelands.
A broader crisis: Pollution and climate change
This is not just Sri Lanka’s story; it is a global narrative. Industrialisation and unchecked pollution have led to widespread environmental degradation.
Oceans that absorb nearly a quarter of global carbon dioxide emissions are acidifying, disrupting marine ecosystems and weather patterns. On land, contaminated water and soil choke agricultural productivity, further entrenching rural poverty.
In Jaffna, I have seen firsthand how industrial waste pollutes water sources, turning once-fertile lands barren. Stories from farmers reveal not only the economic impact but the health risks posed by contaminated crops and water supplies.
Across Sri Lanka, such incidents reflect the interconnected nature of pollution and climate change, illustrating how industrial waste compounds the effects of climate variability.
The power of grassroots movements
While the global dimensions of climate change can feel overwhelming, local movements like the Green Bangle Project offer a glimmer of hope. In Bangladesh, this movement promotes planting palm trees to build resilience against environmental changes.
Participating in one of their workshops opened my eyes to the impact of grassroots action – simple steps like planting a tree can ripple outward, strengthening ecosystems and empowering communities.
Sri Lanka can get inspired from such initiatives. Encouraging sustainable agricultural practices, diversifying crops, and promoting reforestation are small yet powerful measures that can help farmers rebuild their resilience.
A call for global action
The reality is clear: climate change knows no borders. Addressing this crisis needs unified global action. Initiatives like the Paris Agreement lay the groundwork, but progress requires more than policies – it needs tangible and sustained efforts.
Sri Lanka’s Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) plan is a step in the right direction, emphasising sustainable water management, drought-resistant crops, and infrastructure improvements. Yet, there are more to be done, particularly for Tamil-majority regions where resources are scarce.
As I reflect on the stories of Sri Lankan farmers, I am reminded of the interconnectedness of our struggles and solutions.
From industrial pollution in Jaffna to ocean acidification affecting marine biodiversity, every facet of the climate crisis underscores the need for coordinated global action. Sri Lanka’s battle against climate change is not fought in isolation.
It is part of a larger and global story where every nation, community, and individual has a role to play. Through collective action, we can work toward a future where agriculture thrives, ecosystems recover, and vulnerable populations rebuild.
So, I urge the leaders and decision-makers at COP29 to recognise the unique challenges faced by policymakers in small, developing countries like Sri Lanka, along with other global issues.
By investing in sustainable practices and supporting climate resilience, we do not just address the immediate impacts of climate change – we sow the seeds for a more sustainable, equitable future.
And for me, both as a student and an advocate, this journey begins with listening, learning, and taking those first small but meaningful steps toward change
