Mahaweli H Zone, Sri Lanka – 18 September 2026 – The traditional Vap Magula (ploughing festival) ceremony in the Mahaweli H zone recently saw the active participation of Mr. K.D. Lal Kantha, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation. The significant event, held on September 15th, marked the official commencement of the cultivation season and underscored the government’s renewed commitment to boosting Sri Lanka’s agricultural productivity and ensuring food security.
“Adarsha Yaya” Program Drives National Agricultural Revival
Minister Lal Kantha’s presence at the Vap Magula ceremony was a highlight of the ongoing “Adarsha Yaya” National Program. This ambitious initiative operates under the broader “Punarudayata Arunalu” National Agriculture Program and is strategically implemented across 10 vital Mahaweli zones. Its immediate target for a single cultivation season encompasses 5,000 hectares and 150 paddy tracts, aiming to revolutionise traditional farming practices.
Designed as a three-year comprehensive plan, the “Adarsha Yaya” program is set to expand its reach significantly, with an ultimate goal of covering 30,000 hectares and completing 900 paddy tracts nationwide. The program is multifaceted, focusing on 10 key activities within the “Adarsha Yaya” clusters, where the Mahaweli Authority provides crucial encouragement and support to farmers.
Key measures under the program include:
- Conducting specialised training programs for farmers.
- Providing essential seed subsidies to ensure access to improved varieties.
- Enlarging paddy plots (liyadhi) for enhanced operational efficiency.
- Promoting deep ploughing techniques to improve soil health and water retention.
- Offering subsidies to encourage the widespread use of organic fertilisers.
- Delivering necessary training for effective weed control, pest management, and water management.
A primary objective of the program, particularly highlighted during the Vap Magula, is to transition from conventional rotavator usage for primary land preparation towards deeper soil tillage. Furthermore, it seeks to raise awareness among farmers about the critical importance of commencing land preparation well in advance of water release, optimising cultivation cycles.
Impressive Yields Signal Program’s Success
The “Adarsha Yaya” National Program has already demonstrated tangible success since its launch in the 2026/27 Maha season. Harvest surveys from that period confirmed that a remarkable 65% of participating farmers achieved yields exceeding 6 metric tons per hectare, with 35% surpassing 7 metric tons. The momentum continued into the 2026 Yala season, where 79% of farmers recorded yields above 6 metric tons per hectare, and the proportions exceeding 7 and 8 metric tons stood at 40% and 17%, respectively.
Exceptional results were also noted in specific regions. The Mahaweli Walawa zone reported an outstanding yield of 12.5 metric tons per hectare (equivalent to 245 bushels per acre). Additionally, the Mahaweli C zone achieved the highest Keeri Samba yield recorded to date, with 11.4 metric tons per hectare (222 bushels per acre), showcasing the potential for record-breaking harvests under the program.
Minister Lal Kantha Emphasises Productivity and Modernisation
Addressing the gathering at the Vap Magula, Minister K.D. Lal Kantha shared his vision for Sri Lankan agriculture, stressing the need for significant productivity improvements. “The International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines, back in the 70s, advised us to target at least 80 bushels of paddy per acre. Look at how much time has passed since then,” he stated, reflecting on historical agricultural practices.
The Minister asserted that achieving 80 bushels per acre is no longer a challenge if proper water management, improved seeds, timely nutrient application, and correct pesticide and weedicide use are implemented. He lamented that during earlier periods, the country produced only about 30 bushels per acre with traditional seeds and criticised contemporary farmers still yielding only 60 or 70 bushels, labelling it as unsustainable. “During this time, we must get at least a minimum of 120 bushels of paddy per acre. Otherwise, the money allocated for irrigation and fertilizer subsidies becomes meaningless,” he declared.
Referencing the impressive Walawa zone yields, Minister Lal Kantha also highlighted a challenge from a farmers’ organization, inviting him to prove high yields by cultivating one acre in every district. “That is a good challenge,” he responded, signaling his confidence in the program’s potential.
Beyond paddy, the Minister outlined plans to diversify cultivation. “We have no intention of increasing the total acreage under paddy cultivation. Instead, we must cultivate other cash crops. Most of these additional crops are still being imported from abroad,” he explained. He indicated that outside Mahaweli zones and major irrigation schemes, efforts would focus on promoting additional crop cultivation in areas with tanks under 200 acres managed by the Department of Agrarian Development.
Furthering the modernisation drive, the Minister detailed plans for 500 special paddy tracts (“Yayas”) added nationally each cultivation season, aiming for a total of 5,000. He also spoke of deep ploughing to a depth of 9 inches immediately after the cultivation season, acknowledging a slightly higher cost but ensuring increased paddy yields. He also revealed plans to introduce “fourth-generation fertilizer” to 15 selected paddy tracts, involving the private sector and implementing packages recommended by the Department of Agriculture.
In a move to protect farmers from exploitation, Minister Lal Kantha announced intentions to increase the storage facilities of the Paddy Marketing Board and significantly raise the government’s paddy procurement from farmers. “Currently, we only buy 3%. The government should purchase at least 10% from farmers. Otherwise, we cannot stop the private sector from exploiting them,” he affirmed, confirming a strategic plan to achieve this.
Finally, he reiterated the importance of sustainable practices, urging farmers to cease burning straw and to incorporate organic matter alongside chemical fertilisers to boost paddy production effectively.
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