SRI LANKA (5 May)
Harvesting of Maha season rice, some 60 percent of total rice production, is complete and planting of Yala season rice is underway. Much below normal rainfall during Maha season from September 2003 to March 2004 caused a reduction in rice production, especially in the North-Central districts.
Based on the recent FAO/WFP Crop, Food Supply and Nutrition Assessment Mission to Sri Lanka, paddy production for Maha season declined by 77.5 percent in Kurunegala, 37.0 percent in Anuradhapura, and 63.3 percent in Puttalam compared to the previous year, due to the failure of the rains. Nationally, the decrease in paddy production in Maha season was 7.2 percent below the previous five-year average and 13.8 percent compared to the previous year. The 2004 rice production in Yala season may also be severely affected based on the water availability in tanks. Rice import requirements for 2004/05 have been estimated at 411 730 tonnes. With commercial imports estimated at 300 000 tonnes and anticipated food aid at 27 750 tonnes, there remains an uncovered deficit of 83 980 tonnes.
A total of 67 398 farming families in Kurunegala, Anuradhapura and Puttalam were estimated to be the most seriously affected and in need of food assistance. In addition, 7 100 families in Monaragala, Hambantota and other areas, along with some 3 370 landless families have been seriously affected by the drought. Most of the drought-affected families have also been the most vulnerable to food insecurity over the past several years.