BackECONOMY
Learn from Sri Lanka’s experience on impact of fertilizer supply chains: experts
Sudha Meiyappan urges India to gradually move away from fertiliser-dependent agriculture toward sustainable practices, drawing lessons from Sri Lanka’s organic-farming experience. The discussion at SIMATS, part of the Diplomacy and Sustainability Dialogues 2026, also addressed supply-chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical projects like IMEC.
Why It Matters
Fertiliser supply disruptions from the West Asia crisis could affect India’s agricultural productivity, food security, and trade, making sustainable transition strategies increasingly relevant.
Timeline
2 Events
Publication of the article summarizing the panel discussion
May 14, 2026
The article documenting the panel discussion was published on May 14, 2026, summarizing key points about long-term sustainable agricultural practices, lessons from Sri Lanka’s experience, and implications for India’s policy approaches.
Panel discussion on 'Impact of West Asia Crisis on Economic Disruptions and Sustainability: Implications for India' at SIMATS
May 13, 2026
Sudha Meiyappan, Member, Economic Affairs Committee, SICCI, argued that in the long run India should shift toward sustainable agriculture through natural farming, agro-forestry, and other climate-resilient practices, while learning from Sri Lanka’s experience with a sudden shift to organic farming. In the short term, she suggested continuing current policies but gradually moving toward more sustainable use of fertilisers rather than an immediate move to organic farming. She emphasized the need to tailor fertiliser use to crops and locations. The discussion also noted potential price-rise effects on consumption and mentioned broader economic impacts such as gold prices and artisanal livelihoods. Col. Rajeev Agarwal (retd), Senior Research Consultant, Chintan Research Foundation, highlighted vulnerabilities in trade routes and chokepoints, and suggested modifications to IMEC to bypass these risks. S. Pandiaraj, Professor of International Law and Trade, urged a pragmatic foreign policy grounded in longstanding values, warning against a purely transactional approach.