Sri Lanka through Alternative Wetting and Drying (AWD)-A Pathway to Passive Income for Farmers and a Solution for the Economic Crisis

Sri Lanka is facing unprecedented economic challenges, driven by a combination of debt, inflation, and disruptions to agricultural productivity. In response, there is an urgent need to look for innovative solutions that uplift rural livelihoods while tackling systemic issues in the agricultural sector. One promising approach is the cultivation of long-uncultivated paddy lands using Alternative Wetting and Drying (AWD), a climate-smart practice that offers significant environmental and economic benefits. By adopting AWD, Sri Lanka can unlock passive income for farmers and contribute to the recovery of its economy.

The Economic Context in Sri Lanka

The economic crisis in Sri Lanka, compounded by inflation and rising commodity prices, has had severe effects on rural communities, where agriculture remains a primary livelihood. In 2022, Sri Lanka's inflation rate peaked at over 70% (Central Bank of Sri Lanka), and this situation has been particularly harsh on farmers, whose incomes have been reduced due to the high cost of fertilizers, energy, and limited market access.

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Despite these challenges, the agricultural sector, especially paddy farming, holds enormous potential for revitalization. Sri Lanka is a nation where rice is not only a staple food but also a cultural identity. Paddy cultivation occupies 34% of the country’s total arable land (Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka). However, a significant portion of paddy lands, particularly in rural areas, remains uncultivated due to several factors, including water shortages, lack of proper irrigation, and inadequate technical know-how.

?The AWD Climate-Smart Practice and Its Relevance to Sri Lanka

Alternative Wetting and Drying (AWD) is a water-saving technology developed for irrigated rice fields. The practice involves alternating between periods of wetting and drying the paddy field, rather than maintaining continuous flooding, which is the conventional practice. AWD is recognized for its potential to reduce water use by up to 30%, while maintaining or even increasing rice yields (TraceXTech, 2023). More importantly, AWD is a climate-smart practice as it significantly reduces methane emissions from paddy fields, contributing to global climate goals.

AWD aligns with the goals outlined in Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS), which calls for the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices to meet the country’s climate objectives (UNFCCC, Sri Lanka LTLEDS, 2022). Moreover, the adoption of AWD can help Sri Lanka achieve its target of becoming carbon net-zero by 2050, as set forth in its Carbon Net-Zero Roadmap and Strategic Plan (Synthesis Report for Carbon Net-Zero 2050).

?The Potential for Revitalizing Long-Uncultivated Paddy Lands

There are thousands of hectares of long-uncultivated paddy lands across Sri Lanka that could be revitalized using AWD practices. These lands, often located in areas prone to water scarcity or where irrigation infrastructure has deteriorated, are ideal candidates for AWD. By implementing AWD, farmers can cultivate these lands with lower water usage, reduced dependency on costly inputs such as chemical fertilizers, and less labor, which can help increase profitability.

Revitalizing these uncultivated lands could create multiple layers of value. For example:

- Increased Crop Yields: Studies show that AWD can increase rice yields by 5-10% when properly implemented (UNDP Climate Promise, 2023). This higher yield translates into better returns for farmers, creating a reliable source of passive income.

- Carbon Credits and Methane Reduction: AWD has been linked to a significant reduction in methane emissions, one of the most potent greenhouse gases. A 2023 study suggested that using AWD could cut methane emissions by 30-50% in rice paddies (Springer, 2023). This positions farmers to potentially earn carbon credits, with prices expected to double in the coming years (QC Intel, 2023), generating a new revenue stream.

- Water Savings: AWD reduces water consumption by up to 30% (IWMI, 2023), a crucial benefit in areas where irrigation infrastructure is lacking or where water is scarce due to climate change.

?Uplifting Farmer Livelihoods through Passive Income Generation

The implementation of AWD on long-uncultivated paddy lands offers a pathway to passive income generation for farmers. This can be achieved through several avenues:

1. Increased Crop Profits: By using AWD, farmers can produce more rice with less water, fertilizer, and labor, leading to increased profits from crop sales. Higher yields mean that farmers can either sell surplus rice or use it to meet their household food needs, reducing dependency on market prices.

2. Carbon Credits: With the global push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, rice farmers in Sri Lanka can capitalize on carbon credits. Methane emissions from rice fields account for a significant portion of Sri Lanka’s agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, and AWD offers a solution to mitigate this. Farmers could participate in carbon credit markets, where they can sell carbon offsets to companies or countries seeking to meet their emission reduction goals. As of 2023, the value of carbon credits from rice methane reductions is expected to double, offering a lucrative opportunity for farmers adopting AWD (QC Intel, 2023).

3. Incentives for Sustainable Practices: Both the Sri Lankan government and international organizations are increasingly offering financial incentives for the adoption of sustainable practices. The Climate Change Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment is actively promoting the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices through grants and subsidies (Ministry of Environment, Sri Lanka, 2023). AWD practitioners are likely to qualify for these financial benefits, further boosting farmer incomes.

4. Reduced Input Costs: AWD reduces the amount of water, labor, and fertilizers required for rice cultivation, all of which represent significant expenses for farmers. By reducing these input costs, AWD helps improve net profits, even when yields remain constant.

5. Agro-Ecotourism: As part of a larger sustainable agricultural development model, farmers could explore agro-ecotourism opportunities, where visitors pay to experience traditional and sustainable rice cultivation practices. This not only generates additional income but also fosters environmental awareness and community engagement.

?The Role of Technology and Training

For AWD to be successfully implemented on a large scale in Sri Lanka, technology and farmer training will play a critical role. Access to low-cost irrigation systems that allow for precise water control is essential. Additionally, farmers will require training on how to monitor soil moisture levels to determine when to alternate between wetting and drying cycles.

Collaborations between the government, NGOs like the Haritha Udaya National Environmental Trust, and international organizations such as the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) will be crucial in providing the necessary training and technological support. Sri Lanka’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) highlights the importance of capacity-building initiatives that equip farmers with the skills and knowledge to implement climate-smart practices (UNFCCC, Sri Lanka LTLEDS, 2022).

Addressing the Broader Economic Crisis

The cultivation of long-uncultivated paddy lands using AWD can contribute to alleviating the broader economic crisis in Sri Lanka by:

- Reducing Import Dependency: By increasing domestic rice production, Sri Lanka can reduce its reliance on imported rice, which is subject to fluctuating global prices. In 2022, Sri Lanka imported over 200,000 metric tons of rice (Department of Census and Statistics), a significant drain on the country’s foreign reserves. Revitalizing unused paddy lands could drastically reduce the need for imports, keeping more currency within the country.

- Creating Rural Employment: While AWD reduces labor compared to conventional practices, the revitalization of long-uncultivated lands will still require an initial workforce for land preparation, irrigation installation, and cultivation. This can create employment opportunities in rural areas where job scarcity has been exacerbated by the economic crisis.

- Boosting Food Security: With inflation eroding purchasing power, food insecurity is a growing concern in Sri Lanka. Increasing rice production through AWD can help stabilize rice prices, ensuring that affordable staple food is available for all Sri Lankans.

- Reducing National Emissions: AWD’s ability to reduce methane emissions contributes to Sri Lanka’s climate commitments, reducing the need for costly mitigation measures in the future. By reducing agricultural emissions, the country can position itself as a leader in sustainable rice production, potentially attracting international investment and support.

Challenges and Solutions

While the benefits of AWD are clear, there are challenges to its widespread adoption in Sri Lanka:

- Initial Costs: The installation of irrigation systems for AWD can be expensive. To address this, the government can offer subsidies or low-interest loans to farmers willing to implement AWD.

- Farmer Reluctance: Many farmers may be hesitant to adopt new practices due to a lack of awareness or mistrust of unfamiliar techniques. This challenge can be overcome through demonstration projects and farmer field schools, where early adopters can showcase the success of AWD to their peers.

- Water Management: Effective water management is key to the success of AWD. In areas with unreliable water supply, investment in community-managed irrigation systems and water storage facilities will be necessary. This requires collaboration between local governments, farmers, and NGOs to ensure equitable water access.

The incorporation of long-uncultivated paddy lands into productive use through Alternative Wetting and Drying (AWD) climate-smart practices presents a unique opportunity for Sri Lanka to address both its economic and environmental challenges. By providing a pathway to passive income for farmers, reducing reliance on expensive inputs, and generating carbon credits, AWD can

?By Dr. Hemachandra Udumulla,

Founder,

Harithodaya Movement,

Haritha Udaya National Environmental Trust