El Niño and Sri Lanka: Safeguarding food security in uncertain times
by Prof. Janaka Wijesinghe, Dr. Nishala Wedamulla and Gayathma Weerawanni As climate variability becomes an increasing challenge for nations worldwide, Sri Lanka faces growing concerns over the impact of El Niño, a natural climate phenomenon that can disrupt rainfall patterns, increase temperatures, and place additional pressure on agricultural production. For a country where agriculture remains…
The Island Sri Lanka reports that El Niño, a natural climate phenomenon characterized by unusually warmer sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, poses a significant threat to Sri Lanka's food security. As the country's agriculture sector heavily relies on reliable water availability, El Niño can lead to irregular rainfall, prolonged dry periods, higher temperatures, and changes in monsoon rains.
These climate fluctuations can adversely affect rice production, other crops, and the livelihoods of millions of Sri Lankans who depend on agriculture for their sustenance. The consequences of El Niño extend beyond farmers, potentially resulting in food shortages, rising food prices, and increased dependence on imports. To mitigate these impacts, reducing postharvest losses is crucial for ensuring national food security in the face of climate uncertainty.
Brief written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
