However this cultivation is spread all over the country covering dry zone too. The total land area under Paddy is about 736,000 hectares. Paddy is cultivated during two main cultivation seasons, namely 'Maha' and 'Yala'. Cultivation during Yala is mostly confined to the wet zone and major irrigated areas in the dry zone. Statistics on this crop is compiled for both Maha and Yala seasons.
Average yield is estimated through a sample survey.
Area under cultivation is estimated through complete enumeration. I ntroduction The decision makers require an early and reasonably accurate estimate on the domestic production to decide on the quantities of imports at the proper time. Under this programme a series of surveys were carried out during 1998 and 1999 and the results were made available. About two dozens of the crops are seasonal in nature. Statistics on the area, yield and production on these crops are compiled through subjective assessment and released seasonally.