- Current cap on compensation per hectare is Rs. 100,000
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development stated that it is awaiting assessment reports from the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board (AAIB) to decide on any further revisions to the compensation process for crop damages.
These while farmers’ associations continue their call for revisions to the compensation process for crop damage, following reports of full compensation of only Rs. 100,000 per hectare being provided to farmers whose crops were damaged due to adverse weather.
Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (25), Ministry Secretary D.P. Wickremasinghe stated that assessments of crop damage are yet to be completed and sent to the ministry. He noted that necessary revisions and policy decisions would be made once the ministry receives the assessment reports. Until then, the process will continue as decided by the Government.
He further explained that the actual damage is reportedly different from what farmers have claimed, and necessary changes will be made if required. “According to what I have heard from the Board (the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board), the damage is relatively less than what is being claimed. Yet, we need to receive the assessment reports to make further decisions,” he said.
Meanwhile, National Agrarian Unity Organisation President Anuradha Tennakoon recently stated that the compensation provided to farmers does not meet their expectations. He claimed that the circular regarding farmer compensation was released in 2017, and no revisions have been made since, despite increases in costs such as labour and seeds.
In contrast, the AAIB recently announced that farmers affected by recent floods and extreme weather would receive compensation before the end of the year.
Following adverse weather, it was reported that Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunarathne announced that the extent of the damage is being assessed and that the Government is committed to paying the full compensation of Rs. 100,000 per hectare. However, no information has been provided regarding compensation for crop damage caused by other factors, such as human-wildlife conflicts.