In the first quarter of this year, 320 complaints have been received regarding crop damage caused by wild animals, says the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agricultural Training and Research Institute.
The agency says that crop damage is being reported in the ongoing second quarter as well, and that a report will be provided after the end of this quarter.
The Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera had given a notice to give a report regarding the crop damage caused by wild animals this year.
Relaw has caused the most crop damage. Wild boars, peacocks, sloths, locusts and woodpeckers are other pests.
Following the request of the Ministry of Agriculture to prevent crop damage caused by wild animals, the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agricultural Research and Training Institute conducted a comprehensive investigation last year regarding crop damage in 464 agricultural public service domains.
According to that report, it was confirmed that the animal that causes the most damage to crops in Sri Lanka is the Rilawa.
The Hector Kobbekaduwa Agricultural Research and Training Institute has revealed that 200 million coconuts have been destroyed by Relawn in the last year alone in the Coconut Triangle.
( Lankadeepa )
