Sri Lanka, Feb. 17 -- The government has allocated Rs. 40,500 million in the 2025 budget to boost the agriculture sector, which employs nearly 30% of the country's workforce and is vital to the rural economy. The policy focus is on increasing productivity, competitiveness, and resilience.

A Rs. 35,000 million fertilizer subsidy for paddy farmers will continue in 2025. Additionally, Rs. 5,000 million is allocated for maintaining a buffer stock of rice from the Maha 2024/25 season to stabilize supply and control price fluctuations.

Efforts to modernize agriculture include the establishment of a comprehensive data and information system covering the entire value chain, supported by the Asian Development Bank's Food Security Livelihood Emer...