Oil palm plays an important economic role in Sri Lanka’s agricultural and plantation landscape, but misconceptions surrounding the crop are hampering the development of the sector and contributing to continued reliance on imported palm oil, resulting in foreign exchange outflows.
Sri Lanka’s oil palm sector operates within longstanding agricultural and plantation landscapes, while also providing employment opportunities and relatively attractive incomes for workers.
“In fact, it may be the only plantation workforce that pays PAYE tax to the Government,” said Yajith de Silva, Chief Operating Officer of the Palm Oil Industry Association (POIA), during a recent visit organised by the association to established oil palm cultivation areas in the Southern Region.
During the visit, media representatives observed that a number of oil palm trees, some more than 20 years old, require replanting as their productivity has declined. Workers also face difficulties harvesting bunches from older trees as the palms become increasingly tall.
However, due to the continuing ban on oil palm cultivation, estates are not permitted to replace ageing trees or even replant vacant areas where trees have died, affecting the productivity of existing plantations.
Public discussion often portrays oil palm cultivation as inevitably resulting in bare and infertile land, preventing other vegetation from growing, depleting nearby water sources and damaging biodiversity. However, observations from established oil palm cultivation areas in the Southern Region indicate a more positive and site-specific environmental picture.
Significant ground cover and understorey vegetation were observed beneath cultivated palms. Areas of underplanting and compatible intercrops were also visible, demonstrating that suitable vegetation can coexist with oil palm depending on factors such as shade, soil conditions, terrain and the age of the palms.
Clean water resources were also observed within, alongside and beyond the cultivation areas. Their continued presence challenges the blanket claim that oil palm cultivation automatically causes surrounding wells and streams to dry up.
Well-managed cover crops within oil palm plantations can also contribute valuable organic biomass, supporting soil organic matter, nutrient cycling and overall soil fertility.
Schistura scripta fish population and range expand
The ecological value of these plantation landscapes is further reflected in freshwater research conducted at the Nakiyadeniya and Homadola estates.
The research contributed to the scientific identification of Schistura scripta, commonly known as the Sri Lanka Mountain Loach, an endemic freshwater fish recorded within the Gin River basin.
The presence of the species highlights the continuing ecological value of the area and the importance of protecting streams, riparian zones and connected natural habitats within cultivated landscapes.
The media delegation also observed measures taken by estates to manage the use of fertiliser and agrochemicals, together with ongoing monitoring of water quality and availability.
According to plantation officials, oil palm trees located close to waterways are marked with red tape and fertiliser is not applied around them as a precautionary measure to protect water resources.
POIA said greater reliance on scientific evidence and factual assessment is essential to inform the national discussion on oil palm cultivation and to ensure that decisions affecting the sector take into account both its economic contribution and environmental responsibilities. (Shirajiv S)
