• No significant food shortage in the market post-cyclone
• Around 80% of paddy lands to be cultivated during this season
• Rs. 200,000 to be paid for each hectare of paddy land damaged

Despite reports of damage to agricultural land across the country caused by Cyclone Ditwah, there will be no resulting shortage of rice in the market and any shortage of vegetables will only last for a couple of months, the Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security has claimed.  

Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security R.M. Jayawardana stated that they did not expect a significant food shortage in the market as a result of Cyclone Ditwah. 

He noted that since the disaster had occurred in the early days of the current cultivating season, they believed that around 80% of paddy lands could still be cultivated during this season. 

To this end, the Government intends to compensate farmers for any paddy lands damaged by the cyclone in order to enable them to resume cultivation immediately.

Jayawardana further revealed that Rs. 200,000 would be paid for each hectare of paddy land damaged by the cyclone, adding that fertiliser and seeds would also be provided to help farmers recommence cultivation.

He added: “There will be no shortage of food in the market, particularly with regard to paddy, as we have taken steps to ensure that paddy cultivation recommences immediately. Even with regard to vegetables, we have agreed to pay Rs. 200,000 for each hectare of land destroyed. Therefore, we believe that farmers will commence cultivation immediately. 

“We will decide in the coming days about the steps to be taken regarding the land that has been destroyed beyond use. However, this is not the case for the majority of agricultural land. Of the land used for cultivation, only a small portion of land has been damaged in such a manner.”

Jayawardana explained that this compensation scheme would apply to paddy, maize, vegetables, and even fruits. The compensation is intended to encourage farmers to resume cultivation promptly.

Addressing the damage caused to vegetable crops, the Deputy Minister stated that around 1,000 hectares of land used for vegetable cultivation in the upcountry had been destroyed. 

However, he shared that discussions were currently underway on how to restore these lands to a state where they could be used, adding that this could be achieved with the necessary support and facilities.

While admitting that there may be a slight shortage of vegetables for a short period, Jayawardana expressed confidence that supply could be restored to normal levels within two months.