A rapid and large-scale transition from conventional to organic farming, by banning the use and import of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in order to increase national food resilience and reduce dependence on costly fertiliser inputs, can have serious unintended consequences. The resulting reduction in yields can cause food shortages and food price inflation, leading to a decline in food security and economic decline.
Risks of large-scale transition to organic farming
A rapid and large-scale transition from conventional to organic farming, by banning the use and import of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in order to increase national food resilience and reduce dependence on costly fertiliser inputs, can have serious unintended consequences. The resulting reduction in yields can cause food shortages and food price inflation, leading to a decline in food security and economic decline.
Nº 105
- Land, Food & Agriculture
- Harmful Chemicals Reduction
- Reduction of Chemical Fertilizer
some attempts made
past case
Region-1
Region-2
Region-3
Region-4
ongoing case
no attempts made
None
Risks of large-scale transition to organic farming
In 2021, Sri Lanka responded to the rise in fertiliser prices caused by the conflict in Ukraine and took steps to improve its ability to produce food locally by banning the import and use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides. The country wanted the distinction of being the first to introduce organic farming nationwide. However, this decision had unintended economic and food security consequences, as a decline in crop yields exacerbated existing problems of food shortages and price inflation.
- Frustrated the efforts to address the initial problem
- Cascading (far-reaching effects following each other)
1. Paul Teng and Jose M. L. Montesclaros. The Danger of Misguided Food Production Policies: The Case of Sri Lanka. Global Food Insecurity. Available at https://www.rsis.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/CO22106.pdf
Paul Teng and Jose M. L. Montesclaros. The Danger of Misguided Food Production Policies: The Case of Sri Lanka. Global Food Insecurity. Received from: https://www.rsis.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/CO22106.pdf
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