A research report released by the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute yesterday (29) said the consumption of Kohila (Lasia stalk) in Sri Lanka has increased by 40 percent during the height of the economic crisis in 2022. 

The report titled ‘Economic Crisis and Household Food Security in Sri Lanka- 2022’ of the research conducted over the economic crisis in Sri Lanka has revealed the impact on the food consumption pattern of the people of the country due to the crisis.

Food inflation in Sri Lanka rose to 95 per cent during the period from September 2021 to the end of 2022.

The report showed that the demand for Kohila increased up to 45 per cent during the economic crisis and most of the people have used any vegetable available in their surroundings for food.

In comparison, consumption of beans has decreased by 30 percent, carrots by 29 percent, pumpkin by 27 percent, eggplant by 27 percent, and green vegetables by 10 percent.

When considering the nutritional values, 25 percent in urban areas, three percent in rural areas and seven percent in the plantation sector have not received protein-rich foods. Meanwhile, 66 percent in urban areas, 46 percent in rural areas and 41 percent in the plantation sector experienced shortages of foods with vitamin A. 

The survey report said that 56 percent of the population did not receive any food containing heme iron, and 78 percent of the plantation sector did not consume meat and fish containing heme iron.