Transformation of Agricultural Practices and Health Outcomes: An Empirical Investigation of Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown Etiology (CKDu) in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) has significantly affected rural families, while creating many socio-economic problems in Sri Lanka. Extreme weather due to climatic change has produced many outcomes in dry zone in the country where more prevalence as well as incidents of CKDu are found. In this context, this study attempts to identify the farmers knowledge and attitudes towards the climate change induced transformation of agricultural practices and then estimate the value of loss in earnings due to being a CKDu patient using the Value of Statistical Life (VSL) approach. The study uses a combination of primary data and secondary data. Results show that farmers’ knowledge and awareness of the impacts of climate change on agricultural practices is satisfactorily high while their contribution to mitigate the impacts of it is not significant. The results of the VSL show that the estimated values of statistical life for the entire sample are approximately Rs. 2.50 million and Rs. 4.33 million under 60 and 70 years of retirement ages respectively. The estimated values of the loss earnings under 60 years of retirement age for 11 districts were Rs. 70.30 billion. The result further reveals that the prevailing situation of the CKDu in these districts has seriously affected the health and well-being of their family members, stress level, consumption as well as education of the kids of the affected families.