Buddhi Marambe, Senior Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya states that a food shortage is inevitable in the future and that the harvest of the Mas season can be predicted to be reduced by about one third.
Marambe pointed out that on the one hand there is a shortage of imported food items due to the dollar crisis and on the other hand that the food items produced in the country are declining by one-third, adding that people should be prepared to face a food shortage.
The professor points out that due to the lack of adequate nitrogen nutrients, which are crucial for the photosynthesis process required for food production, the crop turns yellow and yields are reduced.
Meanwhile, loans have been requested from India and Pakistan for the purchase of essential food items. It is reported that the loan request has been made by the Ministry of Trade.
Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena has already commenced discussions with the Indo-Pakistani Trade Ministers.
Most of the essential food items including rice, onion, potato, and potatoes are imported to Sri Lanka from India and Pakistan.