Comments on this example:
Measures to comply with environment related international conventions and agreements where Sri Lanka is a signatory have been introduced. Under this category alternatives to the use of 'methyl bromide' which is used as a soil fumigant in the tea sector is being examined as it is known to be an ozone -depleting chemical. Phasing out the use of Methyl Bromide in plantations was initiated by the Ministry of Forestry & Environment together and work in this regard is being done in collaboration with the Tea Research Institute. The project is successfully continuing with the research work on biological control agents, suitable soil amendments and alternative fumigants etc.
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Sustainability of the project:
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Sustainable over time (not one-off): More than 75% of the tea plantations are in the hill country and even in the low country located on sloping lands. These areas are prone to soil erosion, if not maintained well. A fair proportion of tea lands have been abandoned due to un-productivity, causing severe soil erosion. Putting these areas under forest cover has been suggested on several occasions, and funding was also provided on a small scale. However, the main emphasis has been on short term returns, rather than the long term more sustainable benefits.
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Adaptability of the project to other situations:
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- Although it covers a particular sector, the practices can be adopted to similar plantation crops in the region.
- Motivation of some measures such as prohibition of tea plantation in certain location is to ensure the soil fertility in the longer time horizon, and potential polluters are likely to be the same as the recipients of economic benefits of such measures. While appropriateness of measures taken in this example are location and sector specific and reaction of the market may not be consistent in the long period, the approach towards 'sustainable agriculture' will be applicable in other cases.
| Process of decision making and implementation: |
Meeting information requirements: Conversion to more environmental friendly plantation methods has increased Sri Lankas tea productivity. One example of the change in production method is the prohibition of tea plantation on steep slopes to prevent soil erosion. This has helped retain top soil nutrient and improved soil fertility, hence, higher production.
In addition to higher yield, environmental friendly tea plantation methods has brought the Sri Lankan tea sector up to par with international standards, therefore, increasing the countrys competitiveness in the global market. Since today, environmental standards have been used as market barriers, conformation to such standards is necessary.
However, in the process of improving production methods and product qualities, costs are incurred. Inevitably, price needs to be raised in order to maintain usual profit level. As a result, the country loses it competitiveness. In order to maintain previous profit level without increasing price, the country must expand its market and production level to achieve economy of scale.
The trade off between gaining market competitiveness through improved productivity and losing competitiveness through increased price is an unavoidable decision in needs to be dealt with strategically.
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