Sri Lanka has been in the news recently due to an economic crisis leading to political instability.  One of the factors behind the civil unrest is spiking food prices caused in part by governmental policy eliminating the use of synthetic fertilizers and crop protection products.  In this episode, we once again chat with Dr. Stuart Smith, professor in ag and resource economics at the University of Saskatchewan about the situation in Sri Lanka and other topics related to modern agriculture.

As an economist, Dr. Smith researches the socioeconomic impacts of innovation in agriculture.  You can learn more about his research through his blog, SAIFood (Sustainable Agricultural Innovations and Food) at saifood.ca or contact him directly though email: stuart.smyth@usask.ca.  Dr. Smyth also advocates for modern ag on Twitter (@stuartsmyth66).  For more from Dr. Smyth, check out our January 2020 conversation: Episode 15: Stuart Smyth - Benefits of GMO Technology to Farmers and Consumers.