By The Pulseline News Desk
The Government has allocated Rs. 3 billion to expedite agricultural insurance compensation for farmers whose crops have been damaged by the prevailing dry weather conditions linked to the El Niño situation.
Paddy and other crops, including maize, have reportedly suffered significant damage in several agricultural districts, with Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, Hambantota, Anuradhapura, and Ampara among the worst affected.
According to preliminary damage assessments, paddy cultivation has been affected across 1,401 acres in Monaragala, 1,259 acres in Polonnaruwa, 783 acres in Hambantota, 1,055 acres in Ampara, and 1,923 acres in Anuradhapura.
Overall, around 8,000 acres of cultivated land belonging to nearly 7,000 farmers have so far been identified as affected by the dry conditions.
Officials are now carrying out field-level assessments to determine the extent of the damage and identify farmers eligible for compensation. Field officers attached to the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board, together with assistants from the Department of Agrarian Development, are visiting affected farming areas to assess crop losses.
The Government has said that the compensation process will be accelerated, with the objective of releasing payments before the commencement of the next cultivation season. The move is intended to provide affected farmers with financial support to recover from the crop losses and prepare for the next cultivation cycle.
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation has instructed relevant officials to expedite the assessment and payment process, particularly for farmers whose paddy fields have been damaged.
Meanwhile, compensation has also been earmarked for six other crops affected by adverse weather conditions. Farmers cultivating maize, big onion, potato, soybean, and chilli will be eligible for compensation of Rs. 100,000 per hectare, subject to a maximum limit of five acres per farmer.
The Government’s decision comes amid growing concerns over the impact of prolonged dry weather on agricultural production, particularly in districts heavily dependent on seasonal cultivation.
With thousands of farmers already facing crop losses, the speed at which damage assessments are completed and compensation is released is expected to be critical in determining whether affected farming communities can recover in time for the next cultivation season.
The authorities are therefore under pressure to ensure that the Rs. 3 billion allocation reaches affected farmers without delays, while maintaining an accurate assessment process to ensure that compensation is directed to those who have suffered genuine crop losses.
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