EXTRACTS FROM A SAD FARMER'S DIARY

Sri Lanka's rice industry is similar to Yo-yo dieting; sometimes it gains and it equally loses. Hence a close look at Sri Lanka's rice industry merits an in-depth analysis, especially during adverse weather conditions experienced at present.

- By Ravi Nagahawatte

Members of a farmers collective participate in an agitation campaign where they are demanding a minimum purchase price of Rs 130 for a kilogram of their paddy

Unlike any other regular product that we consume, people are so concerned when there is a rice scarcity in the market. This is because we consume rice at least twice a day and use the wheat for other purposes. Right now the present flood situation in the country threatens to destabilize the paddy industry. There's panic buying in the market and 'rice' is one of the fastest moving items in super markets and grocery stores. At this rate, supermarkets will not have rice for sale.

Rice eating Sri Lankans love to dig into their past and boast of the kings who made the island self-sufficient in rice. But do we take a moment and compare Sri Lanka's present rice situation with other rice eating and paddy producing countries?