The Department of Agrarian Development in Sri Lanka is preparing to issue a circular detailing measures to mitigate the impact of anticipated El Niño conditions on the upcoming Maha agricultural season. The circular is expected to be released shortly, outlining steps to be taken to safeguard cultivation during a period that is forecast to experience irregular weather patterns.
Officials are focusing on completing operation and maintenance work on minor irrigation systems before the onset of the Maha rains. Renovations to irrigation canals, spillway inlets, and spill canals are also planned to help manage water resources effectively amid the forecasted dry conditions. The Department of Agrarian Development oversees approximately 289,000 hectares of paddy land through these minor irrigation systems. During the recent Yala season, around 154,000 hectares were cultivated, with harvests currently underway.
A final government decision on whether to proceed with cultivation during the Maha season is scheduled for September 18. This decision will be based on assessments of water availability in reservoirs, with input from a range of sectors including agriculture, irrigation, the Mahaweli Authority, and meteorology. An initial inter-agency discussion is planned for September 8 to review current conditions and prepare for the final determination.
Earlier consultations among agriculture and irrigation authorities have addressed cultivation plans for the Maha season, balancing the water demands of farming with the requirements of hydropower generation. Water releases for agriculture are coordinated alongside hydropower needs, making resource management a critical factor in deciding future cultivation activities.
At a recent media briefing, D. P. Wickramasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, reported that drought-affected rainfall had damaged approximately 8,500 acres of paddy. Nonetheless, crop yield data from the Yala harvest remains positive, and Wickramasinghe said there is no anticipated shortage of rice. The government has approved imports of certain commodities, including corn, big onions, dhal, and potatoes, to supplement domestic production. He noted that reliance on India for imports is limited, as El Niño conditions are also affecting agricultural outputs there, but alternative supplies from Australia and other countries are expected to prevent food shortages.
The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board began disbursing compensation on September 4 to farmers whose crops were damaged by drought linked to El Niño. Affected crops include paddy, corn, and others across districts such as Hambantota, Ampara, Puttalam, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Monaragala. The board's process involves field inspections following farmers’ damage reports to ensure accurate assessments before releasing payments. Compensation has already been credited to farmers in Polonnaruwa, with payments in other districts expected by mid-September.
The government has set aside roughly Rs. 3 billion for damage compensation. The scheme covers six crop types—paddy, maize, big onions, potatoes, soy, and chili—at a rate of Rs. 100,000 per hectare, up to a maximum of five acres per farmer.