SRI LANKA* (6 June)
The main 2005 Maha rice crop, planted in October-November 2004, has been harvested. The paddy production is estimated at some 2 million tonnes, 330 000 tonnes above last year’s drought- affected production. The tsunami impact on national paddy production is estimated to be minimal. Assuming normal growing conditions for the Yala crop to be harvested in August-September, total national paddy production in 2005 is provisionally forecast at 3 million tonnes , some 14 percent above last year’s harvest. Based on this optimistic production forecast, the Government of Sri Lanka imposed a ban on imported rice (including food aid) in February so as to prevent market distortions.
Since the advent of the tsunami, WFP has provided relief food to some 910 000 people and will soon start to give 120 000 children a nutritious snack at school as well as supplying corn-soya blended food to 312 000 vulnerable people including mothers and infants. In addition, the government has issued coupons for general food distribution for the months of June and July to 11 tsunami-affected districts. For its emergency and regular operations in Sri Lanka, WFP is finalizing arrangements to procure some 20 000 tonnes of rice locally so as to support the local rice market and farmers in areas hit by the tsunami.
FAO has initiated the delivery of some US$ 1.74 million worth of seeds and fertilizer to farmers in southern Sri Lanka.