The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation, has planned to implement an expedited compensation process as instructed by the subject Minister, for crop damages caused by Cyclone Ditwah and floods that affected all 25 districts of the island.

Issuing a statement, the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board said that through this process, damages to compulsory insured crops such as paddy, maize, big onions, potatoes, chilies, and soya beans will be assessed and compensation payments provided.

As it is currently not possible to obtain a clear understanding of the extent of damage, farmers are requested to record the damage in the reporting books available at Agrarian Service Centres immediately after floodwaters recede. If floodwaters do not recede, farmers should inform the respective Agrarian Service Centre Officer or Agricultural Research and Production Assistant.

Farmers have one month to report damages, and are urged to act promptly to secure compensation. Awareness campaigns are being conducted through Agrarian Service Centres across the island, district offices of the Insurance Board, and audiovisual media.

In addition, damages to other crops should also be recorded in the reporting books maintained at the relevant Agrarian Service Centres.

For guidance and inquiries regarding damage reporting, farmers can contact the Agricultural Insurance Board’s emergency hotline: 1918.

The Department of Agrarian Development and the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board will jointly carry out this compensation process.

Source - https://www.newswire.lk