Thread by @NalakaG

Just ended this: we explored how #lka scientists & farmers found ways to critique #Gota govt's instant #OrganicLK policy at a time state-owned & other partisan media houses didn't allow dissent + vilified critical voices! Thx @venuraherath @thilakkari2016 @KamanthiW @sisiratweets

https://twitter.com/ScienceJF/status/1587680944575729670

For context & journalistic summary of #lka's instant organic misadventure, see @KennyTorrella's article in @voxdotcom in July 2022: #SriLanka’s abrupt switch to organics offers a bitter lesson in how to change food systems in a sustainable way. #OrganicLK
vox.com/future-perfect…

This was the premise of our #SJF22 session: revisit #lka former govt's 2021 instant organic blunder, to derive its lessons on public communication of science + critique role played by misplaced advocacy of eco activists who over-stated/hyped their case
sciencejf.com/slots/communic…

As I noted introducing, World of Organic Agriculture 2022 rept by @IFOAMorganic & @fiblorg shows #SriLanka had only 2.5% of farmland under organic by 2021 - after decades of work by niche organic farmers. In April 2021, #Gota govt issued diktat to reach 100% in 1 farming season!

#lka Instant Organic policy wasn't backed by evidence nor preceded by public debate. Former govt failed to offer enough organic fertilisers, leaving 2m+ farmers scrambling for agri inputs. I recalled how top agri experts urged caution - but were ignored!
ft.lk/top-story/Scie…

As @venuraherath recalled #lka instant organic was justified by unproven claims linking agrochemical residues to chronic kidney disease #CKDu & even cancers. Some activists misled politicians to think banning agrochemicals could resolve health issues they blamed on modern farming

We recalled how, during #Gota's regime intolerant of dissent, those who questioned Instant Organic policy were vilified by state-owned media & by some eco-activists too as 'agrochemical agents'. Scientists, farmer leaders & journalists were ridiculed, reminding
Voltaire's words:

Lanka Organic Agriculture Movement (LOAM) President @thilakkari2016: established organic farmers knew it couldn't be scaled up in one season. When we don't have required soil fertility, we can't build it up overnight. It takes (minimum) 2 to 4 seasons to achieve soil fertility!"

LOAM's @thilakkari2016 argued #lka's 2021 ban on agrochemical imports was more to save $$$ as country was feeling foreign exchange shortage even then. It was promoted as move to reduce toxicity in food. Instant organic example of "haste makes waste". More: facebook.com/profile.php?id…

Journalist @KamanthiW recalled challenges of covering #lka's instant organic move thru 2021. Govt ministers & officials making dubious claims that still had to be reported. Some experts unwilling to talk on record. TV news having (planted?) stories on pilot projects, not scalable

@KamanthiW When established media wasn't giving enuf space for dissenting voices, #lka scientists & farmer groups turned to #SocialMedia to critique #Gota's instant organic, noted @sisiratweets, editor of @lkscientist. But some news websites peddled disinformation too, leading to confusion.