By The Pulseline News Desk
The prevailing dry weather conditions have begun taking a toll on agricultural production, with crop damage reported across several farming districts as water shortages threaten paddy and maize cultivations.
In response, the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has moved to expedite insurance compensation for farmers affected by the drought-like conditions, with thousands of cultivators already reporting losses.
Paddy cultivation damage has so far been reported from Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, Hambantota, Ampara and Anuradhapura, where a combined 4,707 farmers have been affected across approximately 6,073 acres of paddy fields.
According to the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board, Monaragala has recorded damage affecting 960 farmers across 1,334 acres, while 560 farmers in Polonnaruwa have been affected across 1,100 acres.
In Hambantota, 782 farmers have reported damage across 435 acres, while Ampara has recorded losses affecting 505 farmers across 1,004 acres. Anuradhapura has reported the largest number of affected farmers, with 1,900 farmers facing crop damage across approximately 2,200 acres.
The figures could rise further if the dry conditions persist and water shortages continue to affect cultivation in other agricultural areas.
Compensation capped at Rs. 100,000
Under the Government’s agricultural insurance scheme, compensation of up to Rs. 100,000 per hectare is available for six crops, including paddy and maize.
However, compensation will be payable for a maximum extent of five acres per farmer.
Authorities are now taking steps to release compensation to farmers whose cultivation has already been assessed as damaged, while field-level assessments are continuing in the affected areas.
Officials of the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board have begun visiting damaged paddy fields to assess the extent of losses and verify claims.
The move is expected to provide some relief to farmers who have invested heavily in cultivation and are now facing losses due to circumstances beyond their control.
Farmers urged to report crop damage
Farmers whose paddy, maize or other insured crops have been damaged due to water shortages have been urged to report the losses without delay.
Complaints can be submitted to field officers of the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board. Farmers can also record their crop damage in the damage notification registers maintained at Agrarian Development Centres.
The authorities have stressed the importance of reporting damage promptly, as field inspections and assessments are required before compensation can be processed.
Farmers seeking further information can contact the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board through its short hotline 1918.
Government orders expedited relief
Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha has instructed officials to expedite the payment of compensation to farmers whose paddy cultivation has been affected by the prevailing weather conditions.
The directive comes as concerns grow over the impact of prolonged water shortages on agricultural production and farmer incomes.
While the immediate focus is on compensating farmers for cultivation losses, the emerging situation also highlights the vulnerability of Sri Lanka’s farming sector to changing weather patterns and water availability.
With damage already reported in several major agricultural districts, the effectiveness and speed of the Government’s compensation mechanism will be closely watched by farmers in affected areas.
For now, the priority is to ensure that farmers who have suffered crop losses are identified quickly, their damages are properly assessed, and compensation reaches them without unnecessary delays.
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