Farmers allege that around 11,000 acres of paddy fields have been destroyed due to nematode disease in the paddy fields of Tissamaharama and Lunugamwehere. Farmers claim that the reason for the destruction of the paddy crop is the substandard organic fertilizers and organic liquids given last season.
The Bathalegoda Vee Research Institute states that although the farmers alleged that there were worms in the organic fertilizers provided, no such thing was confirmed during the tests conducted in this regard.
The Paddy Research Institute has advised to abandon the crops as it is not possible to prevent the destruction of the crops affected by the roundworm disease.