Rice Farming in Sri Lanka

Rice is the staple food in Sri Lanka and it is cultivated by farmers on a small-scale in the rural regions principally in the Northern and Eastern plains. Rice production is acutely dependent on rainfall and farmers use traditional techniques such as the sighting of the migrant Grey Wagtail bird to anticipate rain. The principal cultivation season, known as "Maha", is from October to March. During this season, there is usually enough water to sustain the cultivation of all rice fields. The subsidiary cultivation season, known as "Yala", is from April to September. Usually there is only enough water for cultivation of half of the land extent during Yala. The sowing dates and duration of cultivation shows regional variability within the island reflecting adaptation to regional climatic variability.

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Travel & Events

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• Sri Lanka
• Sri Lanka Tourism
• Rice Farming