Plantations & Agriculture
From The Report: Sri Lanka 2019
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Sri Lanka’s economy has traditionally been agriculture-based, but several centuries of international trade – and the introduction of tea, rubber, and coffee cultivation by the UK – have altered the sector’s makeup significantly. After independence in 1948, the economy remained highly dependent on trade, with tea, rubber and coconut making up the bulk of exports, even while many Sri Lankans continued rice cultivation for domestic consumption using ancient reservoirs and paddy irrigation systems. Despite its generally strong economic growth since the end of the civil conflict in 2009, challenges still face the industry. Indeed, cultivation methods and post-harvest losses often result in low yields, productivity and profitability, which threaten to undermine growth and long-term potential. This chapter contains an interview with Mufaddal Jafferjee, Director, Jafferjee Brothers.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Making the transition: Reforms and modernisation strategies aim to help the sector expand and increase its export potential
OBG
plus

Sri Lanka’s economy has traditionally been agriculture-based, but several centuries of international trade – and the introduction of tea, rubber and coffee cultivation by the UK – have altered the sector’s makeup significantly. After independence in 1948, the economy remained highly dependent on trade, with tea, rubber and coconut making up the bulk of exports, even while many Sri Lankans continued rice cultivation for domestic consumption using ancient reservoirs and paddy irrigation…

Interview

Tried and true: Mufaddal Jafferjee, Director, Jafferjee Brothers, on preserving product integrity amid market fragmentation
OBG
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Interview:Mufaddal Jafferjee How can the Sri Lankan tea industry be further integrated into the global tea supply chain while protecting the Ceylon tea brand? MUFADDAL JAFFERJEE: The global tea industry is very fragmented, and the largest brand in the world holds less than 10% market share. Unlike in the electronics industry, for example, the origin of teas used for blends tends to be guided by local tastes. Efforts to homogenise taste towards a single blend are unravelling, and in markets…

Analysis

Self-sufficiency goals: The rice industry must overcome several challenges to increase production and end its reliance on imports
OBG
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Recent challenges to the self-sufficiency of the rice industry have highlighted the need for innovative solutions and partnerships. Solving the key issues such as climate change-induced disasters, and inadequate infrastructure and mechanisation will provide the foundation for the country to achieve long-term self-sufficiency in rice by increasing crop yield. Rice cultivation occupies 34% (770,000 ha) of the total cultivated area in Sri Lanka. Across the country, around 1.8m farming families…

Overview

Seeking sustainability: Digital and precision farming practices are poised to bolster global agriculture resiliency
OBG
plus

Against a backdrop of increasingly severe and financially straining climate events and natural disasters, technology is poised to play an important role in maintaining and improving global agricultural output. The adoption of digital and precision farming practices has been shown to improve crop resiliency, and boost productivity and incomes, particularly in emerging markets where small-scale farmers are often more vulnerable to climatic impacts. With increasing support from international aid organisations, as well as the public and private sectors, precision farming should help emerging market economies maintain production levels through…

Overview

Seeking sustainability: Digital and precision farming practices are poised to bolster global agriculture resiliency
OBG
plus

Against a backdrop of increasingly severe and financially straining climate events and natural disasters, technology is poised to play an important role in maintaining and improving global agricultural output. The adoption of digital and precision farming practices has been shown to improve crop resiliency, and boost productivity and incomes, particularly in emerging markets where small-scale farmers are often more vulnerable to climatic impacts. With increasing support from international aid organisations, as well as the public and private sectors, precision farming should help emerging market economies maintain production levels through…