The pilot project to cultivate 500 acres of Keeri Samba or BG 360 Paddy variety in Ambalantota, Weerakatiya and Tangalle areas for the purpose of obtaining seed paddy is scheduled to start from tomorrow (01).
The free distribution of seeds required for the expansion of Keeri Samba cultivation in the Yala season to the farmers took place yesterday (29) under the patronage of the Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera at Angunakolapalasse. Mr. Buddhika Iddamalgoda, Chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board, also attended the event.
This year, 500 acres of keeri samba are to be planted in those areas and currently there is a shortage of keeri samba seed paddy in our country, so arrangements have been made to use the entire harvest from the cultivation of these 500 acres for seed paddy
Under this scheme, steps were taken to distribute 25 kg of Keeri Samba seed paddy per acre to 200 farmers. Under this project, steps were taken to distribute 25 kg of Keeri Samba seed paddy per acre to 200 farmers.
At the moment, most of the red paddy varieties are cultivated in the southern province, so a large harvest of red paddy has already been obtained. But in the last maha season, 100 acres of keeri samba were planted in Matigathwela area, and the farmers were able to get a big harvest.
98 percent of the total paddy purchased by the Paddy Marketing Board since the beginning of paddy purchasing in the last maha season has been Red Nadu rice. Due to this, the Department of Agriculture has given instructions to reduce the cultivation of red nadu rice and to expand the cultivation of samba rice including keeri samba.
Accordingly, for the first time, with the full involvement of the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, steps have been taken to expand the cultivation of Keeri Samba as a hitherto uncultivated paddy variety in the Southern Province.
The Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industry Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera, who participated in this event, expressed his views.
This year too, we do not need to import rice. Our farmers have produced enough rice to eat the people of the country. That’s why we tell people to eat rice without fear. There will be no shortage of rice in the near future. Besides, the best rice in this South Asian region is in our country. Compared to other countries, we use the least amount of chemicals in paddy cultivation.
Also, the farmers of our country have saved a lot of dollars for the country. Now our country is self-sufficient in rice. Next we want to be self-sufficient in onions, chillies, maize and potatoes. We have now prepared the programs for that.
The prices of eggs and vegetables have reduced in the market. Recently, the ladies of Colombo came to my ministry with carrots saying that carrots went for 3000 rupees. They say that the price of carrots is high for them. Now I tell that lady. Now the price of vegetables is low. Eat enough now without fear. And just like when the price went up, I picked up the carrot and now the price has gone down, come and thank me.
The cultivation of keeri samba has decreased in recent times. As a result, there was a shortage of Keeri Samba rice in the market. In the last season, we planted keeri samba in about 80,000 hectares. Also, for the first time, 100 acres of keeri samba was cultivated in the Matigathwela area of Hambantota in the southern province. It was very successful. Therefore, the minister also mentioned that we have now started expanding the cultivation of keeri samba in the Hambantota district.
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