Agrarian officers assess crop damages caused by Sena caterpillar

COLOMBO (News1st): The department of agriculture has launched an assessment into the damage caused by the Sena caterpillar to maize cultivations in the country. Vast expanses of maize fields have been affected by the infestation of the caterpillar, agrarian officers said. Agriculture minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage had recently instructed the payment of compensation to farmers following an assessment on the damages caused to their crops. Accordingly, all agrarian officers and field officers have been notified about this directive, the agriculture department's director-general W.N.K. Weerakoon noted. More than 100,000 hectares of maize have been cultivated during the Maha cultivation season that begins in September and runs until March the following year.