Ditwah-hit export crop farmers to get relief package

Wednesday, 7 January 2026 06:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Pepper, coffee, and cardamom farmers receive up to Rs. 425,000 per hectare for replanting
Department of Export Agriculture provides seedlings free of charge to affected cultivators

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved a targeted relief package to support farmers whose export-oriented crops were destroyed by recent extreme and erratic weather conditions, with a focus on restoring long-term agricultural productivity and safeguarding export earnings.

The decision follows the issuance of Budget Circulars No. 08/2025 and 08/2025 (i), which set out the instructions for granting relief to farmers affected by climate-related calamities, particularly those cultivating short-term crops.

In view of the wider economic importance of export agriculture, the Government has also moved to address the urgent need to replant long-term export crops damaged by the disaster.

Under the approved scheme, cultivators engaged in pepper, coffee and cardamom cultivation will receive a replanting allowance of up to Rs. 425,000 per hectare.

In addition, the Department of Export Agriculture will provide seedlings free of charge to replace destroyed plantations and facilitate replanting.

“The relief measures aim to accelerate recovery in the export agriculture sector, reduce income losses faced by affected farmers and ensure continuity in export crop production amid rising climate risks,” Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the decision at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.