One thousand farmers to get air rifles to prevent crop damage by animals

Agriculture and Plantation Industries Ministry has started a programme to provide air rifles to farmers to prevent crop damage caused by animals.

The research conducted by the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agricultural Research and Training Institute has confirmed that 30-40 percent of the crops are currently being damaged by Toque monkeys, monkeys, Giant squirrels and peacocks.

Although the Agriculture and Plantation Industries Ministry has requested the animal friendly associations to suggest alternative paths to prevent damage from wild animals, so far not a single positive alternative has been presented.

The farmers requested Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera to provide at least air rifles to save their crops from the above-mentioned animals. Accordingly, the Minister instructed the Sri Lanka Hadabima Authority to take steps to implement this programme.

The Sri Lanka Hadabima Authority has taken steps to provide air rifles to the farmers under the basis of 50 percent loan relief from the year 2023. Last year, 750 air rifles were issued to farmers and according to the success of the programme, steps have been taken to issue 1,000 air rifles this year, said Sri Lanka Hadabima Authority Chairman Sarath Chandrasiri Withana.

Air rifles have been very successful in using them for crop protection to drive away Toque monkeys, monkeys and Giant Squirrels. But the farmers say that the use of air rifles to drive away peacocks and wild elephants is not very successful.

The Sri Lanka Hadabima Authority Chairman said that the Sri Lanka Hadabima Authority will give priority to the farmers who work with that authority in providing air rifles.

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