Sri Lanka’s Agrochemical Ban Shows How Bad Ideas Can Have Big Consequences

Protesters shout slogans demanding elected president Ranil Wickremesinghe step down during a protest at the presidential secretariat premise in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on July 20, 2022. Sri Lanka's prime minister was elected president Wednesday by lawmakers who opted for a seasoned, veteran leader to lead the country out of economic collapse, despite widespread public opposition. Rafiq Maqbool/AP Photo

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You may remember the headlines. In 2021, Sri Lanka’s government imposed a total ban on agrochemicals. The restrictions affected both chemical fertilizers and pesticides.