Agrochemical overuse is one of the principal causes for contamination of fresh produce (fruit & vegetables etc.) sold in urban markets in Sri Lanka. Urban consumers purchase and consume fresh produce anticipating associated health benefits. However, these foods contain residuals of agrochemicals which are applied in excessive amounts. Exported fresh commodities have been reported being rejected in number of occasions recently, due to the presence of agrochemical residuals beyond the country-specific standards. The presence of agrochemical residuals in fresh produce sold domestically is not monitored adequately hence endangering millions of consumers. Excessive use of agrochemicals, inadequate knowledge on handling and improper regulations are identified as principal causes for accumulation of chemical residuals in fresh produce. Nevertheless, complete elimination of agrochemical usage in Sri Lanka also cannot be seen as a practical solution.
In the traditional agrochemical business model, suppliers of agrochemicals increase sales enhancing their profits while users want to reduce their chemical usage to minimize costs. These opposing motivations can be harmonized through a cleaner production and process optimization approach, known as ‘chemical leasing’ which promotes sustainable consumption, production and management of chemicals. In the chemical leasing business model, the supplier provides the service of sustainable chemical application at different stages of crop growth instead of operating with the intention of increasing the volume of chemical sold to the user. The user, on the other hand, purchases the service of the chemical application instead of the chemical alone. However, adequate linkage and good communication between the supplier and the user is highly essential in this endeavor. The chemical leasing approach has been pilot-tested among upcountry vegetable producers in Sri Lanka by the National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC) for carrot, potato and paddy. Results revealed that costs for agrochemicals along with the quantity applied declined by 40% in potato, 55% in paddy and 31% in carrot.
However, it has been identified that absence of an intermediary has stunted the upscaling efforts of chemical leasing in the country. The Institute of Policy Studies partnering with the NCPC introduces Chemical Leasing Intervention for Food Safety (CLIFS) as an innovative business solution to address the gaps in the supply and demand sides. Our technology-driven sustainable solution will address the communication gap. This innovative business model of chemical leasing is expected to minimize the excessive application of agrochemicals by users thereby minimizing the accumulation of chemical residuals in fresh produce. CLIFS help furthering number of United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, especially goal numbers 2 and 3.
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