Sri Lanka, Nov. 21 -- Sri Lanka's farmers and consumers are facing serious difficulties due to inaccurate data and forecasts issued by the Department of Agriculture, Chairman of the National Farmers' Union Anuradha Tennakoon told the Daily Mirror.

He explained that the Department's 'Socio-Economic and Planning Center' issues crop forecasts estimating shortages or surpluses of food crops in upcoming months. However, Tennakoon alleged that the reports published on the Department's official website are "extremely false and baseless," leading to misguided policies that contributed to a rice shortage earlier this year.

Tennakoon also criticised the latest production cost report on the Department's website as being incorrect, claiming it uses...