A schedule has been proposed for commencing paddy cultivation during the 2026/27 Maha season.
The proposed dates have been set according to different agricultural zones with the aim of efficiently managing the available water resources.
Accordingly, cultivation is proposed to begin in the Walawe Zone on October 1 and in the Allai Zone on October 15.
Cultivation is also proposed to commence in the Kaudulla Zone on November 1 and in the Elahera Zone on November 10.
The Water Management Secretariat has pointed out that Sri Lanka is expected to receive relatively low rainfall from December to April. Therefore, commencing paddy cultivation in early October would be more appropriate to ensure maximum efficiency in water management.
Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology has highlighted the importance of farmers planning their cultivation activities in advance, considering that weather changes associated with an El Niño condition could affect agriculture.
The National Fertilizer Secretariat has stated that sufficient fertilizer is available for paddy cultivation during the upcoming Maha season, while the Department of Agriculture has confirmed that adequate quantities of seed paddy are available in the country.
The Government expects to cultivate 800,000 hectares of paddy during this Maha season.
Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha stressed the importance of commencing cultivation activities at the appropriate time in accordance with technical recommendations.
The Minister also emphasized the need to encourage farmers to follow the technical packages introduced by the Department of Agriculture and to conduct awareness programmes on these recommendations.
A preliminary discussion on planning cultivation activities for the 2026/27 Maha season was held yesterday (8) at the Govijana Mandiraya under the chairmanship of Minister K.D. Lalkantha.
Officials from the Department of Meteorology, Water Management Secretariat, Irrigation Department, Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka, Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Development and National Fertilizer Secretariat, among other institutions, participated in the discussion.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne said this was a preliminary discussion and that the final decision on the proposals is expected to be taken at the final discussion scheduled to be held in Gannoruwa on September 18.
