Pricey seed importers exploit outdated regulations

Sri Lanka imports a heavy volume of seed for vegetable farming at a steep cost, which is estimated to be as much as Rs 2 billion on average every year.

Some seeds are as expensive as small-scale agri tools.

This month’s data show, for example, a kilo of alu puhul, or ash gourd, seed costs Rs 32,500. Bitter gourd (karawila) Thinnaweli White variety costs Rs 35,000 a kilo.

Some seeds imported by the private sector are not certified according to international standards because they are voluntary.

Even the Plant Protection

Act (No. 35 of 1999), does not help farmers, although it mandates seed imports that are standardised.

And the Seed Act No. 22 of 2003, which aims to regulate seed quality, among other issues, is heavily outdated, and does not protect vegetable growers from private sector seed importer fraud.

Besides, Sri Lanka’s farmers have no mechanism to seek financial compensation if they find themselves cheated by private companies that peddle substandard seed.

Researchers have found that seeds are imported for 90% of the upcountry vegetable cultivation, including beet, leeks, carrot, tomato, capsicum, and pumpkin. As for lowcountry vegetables, including red onion, luffa, cucumber, brinjal, pumpkin, bitter gourd, and snake gourd, more than a third of the seeds needed every year are imported.

Seed prices also fluctuate seasonally.

Seed certification in Sri Lanka, to ensure factors such as seed health and purity of the varieties, is a handicapped process without enough funding from successive governments. Certification is not required and is voluntary.