Impact Of Chemical Fertilizer Ban On Tea Production : Survey Of Sri Lankan Tea Industry Stakeholders

Abstract

Due to its favourable climate and beautiful environment, Sri Lanka has long been known as a global tea powerhouse. Tea was first introduced by the British during their reign in Sri Lanka. Since then, Sri Lanka has been one of the greatest nations ever to produce tea throughout the world. The tea sector has been a major contributor to employment and export profits, and it has been a major cornerstone of the country's economy. This research explores how Sri Lanka's tea industry is affected by the chemical fertilizer ban in Sri Lanka which took place rn 202L This ban affected the tea industry on a high scale as the ban was effective immediately. Hence, to gather knowledge for this research, a quantitative research design was employed, analyzing data collected from a sample of tea factories and plantations. The information contained market pricing, the amoLrnt of tba produced, the use of fertilizer, and the adoption of alternative growing methods. The results show a significant drop in tea production after the restriction and a direct relationship befween fertilizer use and the yield of tea. Although the restriction successfully decreased the use of chemicals, it had a negative impact on production as a whole. The use of altemative fertilizers and their impact on tea production are also investigated in this study. Recommendations and policy implications are provided to help the tea sector make the shift to sustainable methods. ln the context of Sri Lanka's tea sector, the study advances knowledge of the intricate interactions that exist between agricultural policy, environmental sustainability, and economic consequences.