Farmers to Receive Compensation for Crop Damage After Early Planting Amid El Niño Risks

COLOMBO (News 1st): Minister of Agriculture Namal Karunaratne says farmers who suffered crop damage after starting cultivation ahead of schedule on the advice of the Department of Agriculture, amid El Niño conditions, will be compensated.

The Minister said crop damage is being reported amid the prevailing rainy conditions.

Minister Karunaratne said the Ministry advised farmers to begin cultivation two weeks ahead of schedule this season, in anticipation of severe drought conditions in January and February.

He said the decision was also based on environmental data indicating an approximately 20% increase in water evaporation, which could accelerate the depletion of water in reservoirs and wells.

According to the Minister, the aim was to avoid releasing large quantities of reservoir water for paddy cultivation during January and February, thereby preserving water for the Yala season, when farmers may need to rely on the remaining supplies for alternative crops.

The cultivation schedule was therefore planned to ensure that paddy harvesting could begin towards the end of January and be completed by February, reducing the risk of water shortages during the following cultivation season.

Minister of Agriculture also stressed that, based on the available data, the Yala season faces the greatest risk. He assured that compensation would be provided to all farmers who suffer crop damage.