SRI LANKA (4 October)
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. Maha season rice normally accounts for some 60 percent of total rice production. 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 droughts. 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.
Harvesting of in Yala season rice started from early August and the prospects for the output are also poor due to reduced availability of water in major irrigation tanks.
Reflecting the low production in 2004, total cereal import requirements have been estimated at 1.30 million tonnes for 2004 and 1.32 million tonnes for 2005.
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.