Colombo (ZiraDaily) - In response to the drought situation that severely impacted farmers' cultivations during the previous 'Yala' season, the Ministry of Agriculture has announced that it will provide diesel worth Rs. 17,000 per farmer for the upcoming 'Maha' cultivation season.
This subsidy is an additional support measure to the existing concessionary payment of Rs. 15,000 for the purchase of fertilizers and the compensation of Rs. 100,000 per hectare already provided by the government, as stated by the Agriculture Ministry.
A discussion regarding subsidies for farmers affected by weather-related damages was recently held under the guidance of Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera. Representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Department of Agrarian Development, and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) were present at the meeting.
During the discussion, it was revealed that the Government of China had generously provided 6.5 million liters of diesel to be distributed to Sri Lankan farmers free of charge for the 'Maha Season.' However, as a significant number of small-scale paddy farmers had not collected their allocated fuel, there is a surplus of 2 million liters.
To ensure that these remaining fuel stocks are utilized effectively, the ministry has decided to distribute them to farmers during the upcoming 'Maha' season, as announced by the Agriculture Ministry.
This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden faced by farmers due to the drought and support them in resuming their agricultural activities. The government remains committed to providing necessary assistance to the farming community, ensuring their livelihoods are protected during challenging times.
