(COLOMBO) – More Sri Lankan farmers are to receive some 1,000 air rifles to save their crops from wild animals, the Agriculture and Plantation Industries Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
Recent research in the farmlands throughout most parts of the country has confirmed that 30–40 percent of crops are currently being damaged by Toque monkeys, monkeys, giant squirrels and peacocks.
Although the Ministry has requested that the Animal Friendly Associations to suggest alternative paths to prevent damage from wild animals, however not a single positive alternative has been presented to date, the statement said.
The decision to provide the air rifles was taken following requests from farmers to provide at least air rifles to save their crops from these animals.
Last year, 750 air rifles were issued to farmers for the same purpose.
The rifles have been successful in crop protection to drive away Toque monkeys, monkeys and giant squirrels. But farmers on the other hand complain that the air rifles are inefficient against peacocks and wild elephants.
