News|Agriculture‘Like wastelands’: Sri Lanka tea plantations suffer Cyclone Ditwah’s wrathThe worst cyclone to hit the Indian Ocean island in a century uprooted fully-grown crops of tea, a key source of export revenue.
Colombo, Sri Lanka – A recent cyclone, the most severe in a century, has significantly impacted Sri Lanka, causing widespread devastation. At least 635 fatalities and damage affecting over two million people, or 10% of the country's population, have been…
Colombo, Sri Lanka – A recent cyclone, the most severe in a century, has significantly impacted Sri Lanka, causing widespread devastation. At least 635 fatalities and damage affecting over two million people, or 10% of the country's population, have been reported. The government declared a state of emergency, designating 22 out of 25 districts as disaster zones.
The central region of Sri Lanka, known for its tea and vegetable production, suffered extensive damage. With 471 reported deaths in this area, the cyclone also destroyed vast stretches of tea plantations, crucial roads, and railway lines, affecting the delivery of essential supplies, including fertilizers. Many workers have been left homeless, significantly impacting their livelihoods.
Tea, a major export for Sri Lanka, generates significant revenue. Despite recent economic challenges, the industry maintained an annual revenue of $1.3 billion, with projections of $1.5 billion by year-end. However, the cyclone is expected to decrease tea output by up to 35%, delaying recovery efforts and exacerbating the vulnerabilities of the plantation workers.
The cyclone's economic impact is estimated at approximately $6 billion, representing nearly 3.5% of Sri Lanka's GDP. This comes as the country faces substantial public debt, currently nearly $100 billion, and a recent $2.9 billion bailout agreement with the International Monetary Fund. The cyclone further threatens the country's exports and domestic food availability, potentially leading to increased consumer prices due to disrupted supply chains.
Colombo, Sri Lanka – A recent cyclone, the most severe in a century, has significantly impacted Sri Lanka, causing widespread devastation.
Experts warn that the economic shock may force plantation workers to seek employment in other industries, complicating efforts to maintain the country's economic stability and debt sustainability. Sri Lanka's approach relies on economic growth to repay debts, which is challenged by the potential shift away from the plantation sector.
The Tea Exporters Association of Sri Lanka set a target of $1.5 billion in export earnings for 2025, but the recent devastation may render this goal unattainable. Rebuilding efforts will require significant time and resources. Stakeholders emphasize the need to integrate considerations of extreme weather and climate crises into future revenue projections and industry preparedness strategies.
As recovery efforts continue, many affected individuals express uncertainty about their future, with extensive damage to crops and homes posing significant challenges to rebuilding their lives and livelihoods.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.