Risk of damage to 45,000 acres of paddy due to drought: Minister

There is a risk of damage to 45,000 acres of paddy cultivation in Hambantota district, and the paddy harvest in several other districts could be trimmed due to the drought, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

He said there is a risk of destruction to 45,000 acres of paddy lands in the Hambantota district due to the prevailing severe drought these days. 

The Minister emphasized that the expected paddy harvest during this yala season may be affected, and a kilogram of paddy, which is currently being procuree at Rs. 95 by the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB), may increase to more than Rs. 100 in the near future.

The PMB buys paddy on the basis of a loan from a state bank at an interest rate of 8%, and it was decided to buy paddy at the current rate of Rs. 95 based on the price decided by the Price Committee of the Finance Ministry.

Also, the minister mentioned that he is ready to provide the necessary concessions to the farmers for paddy cultivation as well as other additional crops in the coming Maha season.

Currently, paddy is being harvested in the yala season, and by the end of this month, the harvest will be completed in most areas. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)