Drought hits 35,653 paddy farmers

The daily report on crop damage issued by the Agriculture and Agrarian Insurance Board yesterday (17) stated that the number of paddy farmers affected due to the prevailing drought weather had increased to 35,653.

This report was handed over to the Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday. The report has been prepared by the Agriculture and Agrarian Insurance Board covering all the districts.

Accordingly, the amount of damaged paddy acres has increased to 38,903.83. Meanwhile, 159 acres of 144 maize farmers, 10 acres of 20 potato farmers, 1.2 acres of two big onion farmers, 1.5 acres of four chillie farmers, 30 acres of 35 green gram farmers, 31.5 acres of 37 carrot farmers and, 31.25 acres of 37 farmers engaged in other crops have been destroyed due to the prevailing drought weather, the report said.

Also, due to the current drought conditions, animal husbandry has also been affected.Therefore, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed the Livestock Department to give a report regarding the impact of the drought on the local dairy industry.

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