Farmers have expressed disappointment with the 2027 Budget, saying it has failed to provide adequate support to improve agricultural infrastructure and strengthen the sector’s contribution to national production, despite this being a requirement identified by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Speaking to The Daily Morning, National Agrarian Unity President Anuradha Tennakoon said that although Rs 2,000 million had been allocated for small irrigation systems and tanks under the Agrarian Development Department and Rs 7,700 million for the Irrigation Department, at least 30% of similar allocations in the previous Budget had remained unspent.

He said farmers had also expected the promised railway service to transport vegetables and fruits, as announced by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in 2026, along with other proposals to reduce production costs. The President’s earlier pledge to develop Thambuththegama Railway Station as an agricultural transport hub had also yet to materialise, he added.

Meanwhile, National Tea Planters’ Association President Saman Geeganage said that while the Budget provided for a tea fertiliser subsidy, the priority was to ensure that assistance reached growers without cumbersome procedures.

He said previous subsidies had involved lengthy processes, including meetings and other requirements, while the State offices responsible for distribution were inefficient. With labour shortages and demanding cultivation work, growers could not afford to spend time away from their plantations to secure the subsidy. He said improving the distribution mechanism was more important than increasing allocations.

Meanwhile, the Government has introduced a Rs 500 million loan scheme at 5% annual interest for fishermen seeking to import multi-day vessels, each costing around Rs 400 million. President Dissanayake expects six to seven vessels to be added to the local fleet.

However, All Island Multi-day Fishing Vessel Owners’ Association President Tyronne Mendis said the industry's main problems were fuel and the costs of handling, processing, storing and transporting fish.

He said tuna had to be cleaned and packed in ice within an hour of being caught, requiring equipment and supplies to be carried to sea. Combined with fuel costs, expenses had risen from Rs 2.5 million to Rs 7.5 million, leaving most vessels operating at a loss and prompting owners to leave the industry.

While welcoming the loan scheme for those seeking to buy vessels, Mendis said a fuel subsidy was the industry's main requirement.