In the 2026 Yala cultivation season in the Northern Province, a paddy harvest of 174,000 metric tons is expected. This is projected to be the highest yield ever anticipated for a Yala season in the Northern Province. Northern Province Ministry of Agriculture Secretary S. Sivasri stated this.
According to the Yala cultivation targets released by the Provincial Ministry of Agriculture, paddy cultivation is planned across a total extent of 39,215 hectares throughout the province this season. Through this, the overall provincial paddy productivity is estimated at 4.4 metric tons per hectare. He also pointed out that the restoration of tanks by the Northern Province Irrigation Department through provincially allocated funds and various other funding sources has made this record-high production target achievable.
Among the districts in the province, Mullaitivu District is expected to have the largest cultivation extent, with paddy cultivation planned on 13,805 hectares. Based on a productivity rate of 4.5 metric tons per hectare, a harvest of 62,123 metric tons is anticipated there. Following this, Kilinochchi District is expected to cultivate 12,523 hectares and produce 56,354 metric tons, while Vavuniya District is expected to cultivate 8,601 hectares and yield 34,404 metric tons. In Mannar District, paddy cultivation is planned on 4,286 hectares. With the highest productivity rate in the province at 5.0 metric tons per hectare, the district is expected to achieve a harvest of 21,430 metric tons.
He further stated that, considering the current rainfall and favorable climatic conditions, there is a possibility of making even more favorable revisions to these estimates and cultivation extents in the future.
