Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Sri Lanka Faces Agricultural Crisis After Cyclone Ditwah
A big storm called Cyclone Ditwah hit Sri Lanka and caused a lot of damage.
Many people lost their homes, and some even lost their lives.
The storm also destroyed a lot of farmland, making it very hard for farmers to grow crops.
The Indian government and a big Indian company called Mahindra & Mahindra are helping by fixing bridges, giving out food, and donating money.
The Sri Lankan government is also trying to help farmers by giving them money to replant their crops.
However, many farmers are worried that the money won't be enough to cover all the costs of recovering their fields.
They need to clear the mud, level their fields, and plant again, which is a very big task.
Some farmers are also looking for new homes to rent because their old homes were destroyed by landslides.
Cyclone Ditwah flooded crops across 535,000 hectares, with 120,000 hectares completely washed away or buried.
The storm affected nearly 1.8 million farming families, causing severe damage to rice, vegetables, and maize crops.
Farmers face the daunting task of replanting, with costs amounting to 175,000 rupees per farmer for machinery, seeds, and fertiliser.
The Sri Lankan government is distributing 15 billion rupees in compensation and encouraging farmers to replant by the end of December.
Many farmers have not yet received the promised compensation and worry that the 150,000 rupees offered will fall short of covering their recovery costs.
- Who
- Farmers in Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Government, Indian High Commission, Indian Army, Mahindra & Mahindra
- What
- Cyclone Ditwah caused extensive damage to farmland and infrastructure; farmers face replanting challenges; government and international aid are providing support
- When
- After Cyclone Ditwah (since November 16)
- Where
- Sri Lanka, particularly in Kilinochchi, Nuwara Eliya, and central regions
- Why
- To aid communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and support agricultural recovery
Government
Farmers
Compensation and Support
Government
The government is distributing 15 billion rupees in compensation and encouraging farmers to replant by the end of December. They believe that swift replanting and irrigation repairs can salvage large swathes of the rice crop, expecting rice production to be about 3.5 million metric tons, which should be sufficient.
Farmers
Farmers like Risman and Yaparatne have not yet received the promised compensation and worry that the 150,000 rupees offered will fall short. They need additional support for replanting, fertiliser, and rebuilding fields, as the cost of recovery is significant and many are already in debt.
- Affected Farmland
- 535,000 hectares flooded, 120,000 hectares completely washed away or buried
- Families Affected
- 1.8 million families
- Crops Damaged
- 95,799 hectares of field crops, 13,463 hectares of maize, pulses, bananas, and vegetables
- Compensation
- 150,000 rupees per destroyed field
- Total Compensation Fund
- 15 billion rupees
- Expected Rice Production
- 3.5 million metric tons
- Cost to Replant
- 175,000 rupees per farmer for machinery, seeds, and fertiliser
Sources
Indian High Commission distributes rations, supports infrastructure recovery in Sri Lanka
India continues operation Sagar Bandhu as Sri Lanka battles deadly floods
Sri Lanka farmers face daunting task of replanting after cyclone
India distributes assistance kits, restores bridge in Sri Lanka post Cyclone Ditwah havoc
Sri Lanka's health minister thanks India for cyclone aid and invites pharma investment