Rs. 3 Bn Allocated To Compensate Farmers For El Niño-Related Crop Damage

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Government has allocated Rs. 3 billion to compensate farmers for crop damage caused by dry weather conditions due to the El Niño effect.

The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board stated that crops have been damaged due to the prevailing dry weather in the Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, Hambantota, Anuradhapura, and Ampara districts.

Nearly 8,000 acres of farmland belonging to around 7,000 farmers have reportedly been affected.

Compensation of Rs. 100,000 per hectare will be provided for six affected crops paddy, maize, big onions, potatoes, soybeans, and chillies with compensation limited to a maximum of five acres per farmer.