Colombia: Farmers across Sri Lanka are facing a difficult and uncertain road to recovery after a powerful cyclone destroyed vast stretches of farmland, washing away crops, damaging irrigation systems and pushing many rural families deeper into debt.
The cyclone, which hit large parts of the island earlier this month, flooded more than half a million hectares of agricultural land. Rice fields, vegetable farms and maize crops were buried under water, mud and sand just weeks into the main Maha planting season, leaving farmers with little time to restart cultivation.
According to government officials, nearly two million farming families have been affected. In some districts, entire fields have been rendered unusable after heavy silt deposits clogged the soil. Key irrigation infrastructure, including dams and canals that farmers depend on for water, has also suffered extensive damage.
For many small farmers, the loss has been devastating. Several had taken loans for seeds, fertiliser and labour, hoping for a good harvest after years of economic hardship. With crops destroyed, they now face repayment pressures without any income to fall back on.
Authorities have urged farmers to replant quickly to avoid missing the season, but many say they lack money, seeds and equipment. Some fields remain waterlogged, while others require costly clearing before sowing can begin again.
The government has announced compensation worth billions of rupees and promised free seeds and fertiliser. However, farmers on the ground say relief is arriving slowly and is not enough to cover the full extent of their losses. Agricultural unions warn that delays could reduce yields and worsen food shortages in the coming months.
Economists say the damage to farming could push up food prices and increase inflation, even as the broader economy shows signs of recovery through reconstruction spending and foreign aid. International agencies have also cautioned that without urgent support to small farmers, the impact of the cyclone could be felt well into next year.
As Sri Lanka looks to rebuild after yet another climate disaster, farmers say their biggest fear is not just the loss of this season, but the uncertainty of what comes next. For many, the cyclone has wiped out more than crops. It has shaken their confidence in the future of farming itself.