Sri Lanka, Aug. 20 -- Sri Lanka is preparing for a potentially difficult agricultural cycle as changing weather patterns linked to El Nino raise concerns over food security, with heavier-than-usual rainfall expected during the coming Maha season followed by a significantly drier Yala season next year.

The Department of Agriculture is urging farmers to treat the increased rainfall expected during the Maha season as an opportunity to build water reserves for the next Yala, when drought conditions are expected to place greater pressure on agriculture.

"We are expecting more rainfall during the Maha season, but the next Yala is expected to be drier. Therefore, the rainfall we receive during Maha has to be retained for use during the next Y...