Sri Lanka’s tea output could fall 40 percent in 2022 and rubber could be wiped out by leaf disease if chemical fertilizer ban is continued, Economy Next reported, quoting industry officials.
This will be a threat to the livelihoods and expory revenue of the country as well, the officials said.
“In 2022, all experts estimate that we will record reduction in tea exports over 40 percent,” Bathiya Bulumulle, President of Sri Lanka’s Planters’ Association representing managers of commercial tea plantations and factories said, according to the Economy Next.
Bulumulle had made this remar addressing tbe association’s annual general meeting.
He said, “With the halt of chemical fertilizer there will be severe crop losses, and as a result, a reduction in export revenues by as early as the end of this year.”