Industry representatives are calling for stronger prevention and enforcement measures as theft from farms adds to production risks and rural losses.
Crop theft is costing Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector millions of rupees, prompting calls for stronger government intervention, The Island reported in its latest business coverage.
Farmers already face weather uncertainty, rising input costs, labour shortages and price volatility. Theft of harvested produce, livestock-related inputs or crops awaiting collection can add another layer of financial risk, particularly for smallholders with limited insurance or access to credit.
Effective prevention may require closer coordination among farmers, police, local authorities, buyers and transporters. Community surveillance, traceable purchasing records and rapid reporting mechanisms could help identify suspicious movements of produce and discourage informal markets for stolen goods.
Any enforcement response should also distinguish organised theft from disputes involving land, tenancy, harvesting rights or unpaid labour. Clear documentation and timely investigation are necessary to avoid criminalising legitimate disagreements.
The accessible homepage summary did not quantify total national losses or identify the crops and districts most affected. More detailed data would help authorities decide where targeted policing, technology or farmer-support measures are most urgently needed.
