Sri Lanka is returning to chemical fertilizers and domestic production to restore agricultural productivity after a failed push for organic farming [1].
This shift marks a critical reversal for the island nation, where a previous mandate to abandon synthetic inputs led to crashing crop yields and severe food price pressures [1]. The government said it is prioritizing food security over the organic ideal to stabilize the economy.
Four years have passed since Sri Lanka scrapped its organic fertilizer policy [1]. The transition to a fully organic system was deemed a failure, resulting in a more than 60% year-on-year increase in chemical fertilizer import costs as the country struggled to fill the production gap [1].
To reduce reliance on expensive imports, the country is investing in domestic infrastructure. On March 30, 2026, a new state-of-the-art Single Super Phosphate (SSP) fertilizer factory was unveiled in Colombo [3]. Lankem Ceylon invested Rs. 3 billion into the facility to produce chemical fertilizer locally [3].
Beyond domestic manufacturing, Sri Lanka is seeking international expertise to modernize its farming sector. The government said it is looking to Vietnam for agricultural technology and fertilizer collaboration [2]. This partnership aims to integrate advanced technical knowledge to prevent a repeat of the previous productivity collapse [2].
While the government pivots toward chemical solutions, some niche sectors continue to develop. The country recently launched export-quality vermicompost fertilizer as a milestone for its organic agriculture industry [4]. However, this development remains secondary to the broader national strategy of restoring chemical inputs to ensure rice, and other staple crops, meet domestic demand [1].
Farmers in regions like Dehiattakandiya continue to struggle to rebuild their livelihoods following the volatility of the last few years [1]. The current strategy focuses on a hybrid approach, combining domestic chemical production with foreign technology, to ensure long-term stability [2, 3].
“Sri Lanka’s fully organic fertilizer push was a failure, with farmers struggling and imports soaring.”
The reversal of Sri Lanka's organic mandate illustrates the high risk of implementing abrupt, nationwide agricultural shifts without sufficient infrastructure or transition periods. By investing in domestic SSP production and partnering with Vietnam, the government is attempting to balance the need for high yields with a desire for reduced import dependency, acknowledging that organic farming cannot currently sustain the national food supply.
