To overcome water scarcity during Yala season:

Farmers requested to cultivate short term rice varieties

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

The Agriculture Ministry directs farmers to cultivate short term rice varieties for the Yala season to overcome the water scarcity prevailing in the island due to poor rain fall.

The ministry predicts that next year's Yala cultivation season could be delayed as most parts of the country is facing a water shortage.

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane requests farmers to cultivate short term paddy varieties this Yala season to reduce the loss of paddy harvest.

" Farmers those who cannot cultivate short term paddy varieties should cultivate additional crops,such as, maize as they can be cultivated with less water." said the minister.

He also said though there are two main cultivation seasons, farmers now cannot follow them due to the bad weather conditions. The Rice Research and Development Institute (RRDI) has developed paddy varieties and technologies to meet the country's rapid changing

weather and climatic conditions.

"As Sri Lanka is experiencing fast changing weather conditions, we cannot expect the rains at the correct time. So farmers should understand the prevailing situation and cultivate short term paddy varieties. If not we will have to face a difficult situation due to the shortage of rice." the minister said.

A spokesman from the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority said the water shortage has affected agriculture in the Mahaweli zones and the Rajarata area.

The Authority gives priority to supply water for drinking and domestic use rather than irrigation purposes. It is observed that at present, the capacity at the Kothmale Reservoir has decreased to just 30 percent. Agriculture Ministry Secretary W. Sakalasooriya also spoke.