July 02, Colombo: The Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute (HARTI) says in the first quarter of this year, 320 complaints have been received regarding crop damage caused by wild animals.

The agency says crop damage is being reported in the second quarter of this year and a report will be given after the end of this quarter.

The Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera has informed the HARTI to provide a report regarding crop damage caused by wild animals this year.

It has been found that the most crop damage among the reported incidents has been caused by the Macaque monkeys. Other animals that cause damage to crops in order include wild boars, peacocks, squirrels and monkeys.

The Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute has conducted a comprehensive investigation regarding crop damage in 464 agrarian service divisions last year, following the request of the Ministry of Agriculture to prevent crop damage caused by wild animals.

According to that report, it was confirmed that the animal that causes the most damage to crops in Sri Lanka is the Macaque monkey.

The HARTI report has revealed that 200 million coconuts have been destroyed in the last year alone, especially in the coconut triangle.