Farmers face severe challenges due to climate change
Farmers face severe challenges due to climate change
Daily Mirror
February 11, 2025
See link
https://www.dailymirror.lk/amp/news-features/Farmers-face-severe-challenges-due-to-climate-change/131-302103
for photo.
Sri Lanka, a lush island famous for its scenic landscapes and fertile soil,
has always thrived on agriculture. From its picturesque tea plantations to
the vast rice paddies, farming is not just a livelihood, but a deeply
rooted cultural tradition. However, changing weather patterns are
threatening this way of life, putting farmers in a tough spot.
Impact of Climate Change on Farming
Deforestation, pollution and unsustainable land use are taking a toll on
Sri Lanka’s environment. Trees are being cleared for urban development,
large-scale farming and logging, which weakens the land’s ability to
recover naturally. Pollution adds to the problem, disrupting weather
patterns and making rainfall unpredictable.
Farmers in Siyambalanduwa, a region in the Monaragala district, have
witnessed drastic changes in the climate. The once-consistent weather
cycles have become erratic, with sudden downpours, prolonged droughts, and
shifting monsoons. For instance, the “Hath Dohe Duruththa,” a traditional
seven-day rainfall in January, has transformed into short, heavy bursts of
rain. This change has caused severe soil erosion and frequent floods,
damaging crops and livelihoods.
A Community Struggling to Adapt
In Namaluwa village, farmers have been particularly hard-hit. Development
Officer D.M.P. Dissanayaka explained how these sudden weather changes delay
the planting season, while heavy rains in November led to flooding in the
Heda Oya River and submerging fields. “Farmers, already grappling with
shrinking yields, find it increasingly difficult to make timely decisions
about irrigation, pest control, and harvesting” said Development Officer
D.M.P. Dissanayaka Sugarcane farming, which requires large amounts of water
and land, has further worsened the problem. Excessive cultivation has
disrupted water sources and contributed to environmental degradation.
Meanwhile, inadequate irrigation systems mean that rainwater often dries up
during droughts, leaving fields parched.
“Farmers, already grappling with shrinking yields, find it increasingly
difficult to make timely decisions about irrigation, pest control, and
harvesting”-
D.M.P. Dissanayaka, Development Officer
Human-Elephant Conflict on the Rise
Adding to the woes of farmers is the escalating human-elephant conflict.
Villagers report that elephants, driven by hunger due to deforestation, now
roam into farmlands, destroying crops and posing threats to lives. Grama
Niladhari H.M. Kasun Jagath Kumara said, “Chena farming, a traditional
slash-and-burn method that once kept elephants at bay, has been abandoned
due to economic challenges and restrictions on forest access”.
The problem is further exacerbated by cattle herds from neighbouring areas
grazing on wild plants in elephant habitats. This leaves elephants with no
food in the forest, forcing them into villages. Farmers have called for
stricter measures to prevent cattle from encroaching on elephant territory.
“Chena farming, a traditional slash-and-burn method that once kept
elephants at bay, has been abandoned due to economic challenges and
restrictions on forest access”-
Adapting to a New Reality
Organizations like the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) are stepping
in to help farmers adapt. CEJ has launched projects in Siyambalanduwa to
promote sustainable farming practices.
Their programmes educate farmers on the effects of climate change and
provide tools and techniques to mitigate its impact.
“We are working with government officials and farmer organizations to
address the challenges of climate change,” said U.G.A. Darshika Sewwandi,
an environment officer with CEJ. “Our goal is to minimize the effects of
climate change on agriculture in the Monaragala district and implement
sustainable practices to build resilience,” she said.
“Our goal is to minimize the effects of climate change on agriculture in
the Monaragala district and implement sustainable practices to build
resilience”
- U.G.A. Darshika Sewwandi, Environment Officer working for CEJ
The Way Forward
Despite these efforts, the challenges remain steep. Villagers like M.A.
Nishanthi Senarathne shared how their farming schedules have been
disrupted. “We used to start preparing the land for the Maha season in
August, but now heavy rains destroy our crops before they’re ready for
harvest. Even adjusting our schedule hasn’t worked,” said Senarathne.
Farmers also face declining yields due to irregular rainfall and the
destruction caused by wild animals. Economic Development Officer M.S.H. de
Soyza underscored the need for better water management, such as improved
tank systems, to store rainwater for use during droughts.
Call for Collective Action
The changing climate in Monaragala is not just a local issue; it’s a
warning of what unchecked environmental damage can lead to. While farmers
are trying to adapt, there’s an urgent need for coordinated efforts from
government bodies, environmental groups, and local communities.
Sustainable farming, better water management, and stricter policies to
protect wildlife habitats are vital to securing the future of agriculture
in Sri Lanka. With the right support and practices, the farmers of
Siyambalanduwa and beyond can weather these challenges and protect their
way of life for generations to come.