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The amount of crop damage occurred in this Yala season has increased up to 68,802.20 acres as of 2023.09.21. Also, the number of farmers affected due to this has increased up to 70,597.
According to the new report issued by the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board, 68,340.35 acres of cultivated paddy fields have been damaged and 70,188 farmers have been affected by that. Also, 409 farmers who cultivated big onions, chilies, maize and soybeans have been affected, 461.85 acres cultivated by them have been damaged.
The highest amount of crop damage reported so far has been reported from Kurunegala district. Accordingly, crop damages occurred in that district is 26,813.67 acres. Number of farmers affected is 32,245.
The second highest amount of damage is reported from Udawalawe region. Accordingly, 14,810.13 acres have been damaged and number of farmers affected is 11,651. In addition to that, 5,483.75 acres have been damaged in Hambanthota district and 4,493 farmers have been affected.
Furthermore, as 1,496 acres in Matale, 2,244 acres in Puttalam, 1,728 acres in Polonnaruwa, 1,136 acres in Monaragala, 1,044 acres in Badulla, 1,721 acres in Rathnapura and 1,748 acres in Anuradhapura have been recorded.
Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera Hon. Minister of Agriculture has stated that the assessment of crop damage carried out by the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board was advised to be completed promptly. Also, the minister said that the said report will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers and after that the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers regarding crop damage will be announced.
However, the Minister has mentioned that the government will have to pay the highest crop damage compensation in the history of Sri Lanka this time.
