Agriculture Minister K. D. Lal Kantha stated that the government is considering easing restrictions on the production of rice by-products.
Speaking at a meeting of the Mahaweli Water Management Committee on Friday (13), the minister noted that Sri Lanka currently produces only about 50% of its domestic maize requirement, with the remainder being imported.
Due to limited land for maize cultivation, he emphasized the need to focus on increasing rice production instead. Lal Kantha clarified that the government does not plan to expand paddy cultivation land but urged farmers to follow Department of Agriculture guidelines to enhance yields.
He stressed the importance of improving post-harvest handling, including proper paddy drying and storage, to prevent oversupply and ensure fair incomes for farmers, which is crucial for maintaining food security.
The minister acknowledged limitations in the Paddy Marketing Board’s interventions due to storage and staffing constraints and thanked farmers and officials for resuming cultivation after crop damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Lal Kantha also encouraged increased cultivation of Keeri Samba rice, highlighting that the country still relies on imports to meet local demand for this variety.
