The Minister mentioned that a scheme has been implemented to cultivate 18,828 metric tons of pulses in combination with small and large scale and under this a farmer will be given 25 kg of seed pulses per hectare.
The minister mentioned that through the successful implementation of the program in 2023, about 03 million metric tons of rice has been produced through paddy yield, thereby maintaining surplus rice in the country, and the country’s rice production is 4.5 million metric tons.
Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said this at a press conference held at the Presidential Media Center today (24).
Minister Mahinda Amaraweera who further commented here,
“In 2021, paddy production was halted due to fertilizer crisis. Therefore, in the year 2022, not enough rice is produced for the consumption of the people of this country. As a result, the price of a kilo of rice will exceed 500 rupees, some said in media meetings.
But the government led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe took all possible measures to increase domestic rice production by taking on the responsibility of building the country. 2022 Urea fertilizer required for small crop was provided to the farmers.
Also, a financial subsidy of Rs 20,000 per hectare was given to purchase fertilizer for paddy production during the peak season. As a result, the government will not have to import rice in 2023. Rice production in Sri Lanka is 4.5 million metric tonnes in 2023. Our country needs 2.4 million metric tons of rice per year. By 2023, we have produced about 03 million metric tons of rice from paddy harvest.
Accordingly, last year there was a surplus of rice in our country. Farmers trusted us and followed our advice. That is why there is still a surplus of rice in this country.
Also, we also provided about 100,000 metric tons of rice for animal feed production due to shortage of corn in the past. By providing rice as fodder for cattle and poultry, our country has been able to save money on importing corn.
Our target is to double the paddy yield in 05 phases. Accordingly, our target is to increase the yield per hectare to 09 metric tons by introducing new agricultural technology for rice cultivation. It should be said that we will be introducing a technical package for that.
Also, we are implementing a program to double the rice yield in the next 5 cycles in the agricultural areas of Anuradhapuram, Amparai, Polonnaruwa, Hambantota, Monarakalai and Kandy.
Also, the Department of Agriculture was directed to start inter-cropping in the third phase immediately after completion of the minor phase. Accordingly, we will start the pulse cultivation program after the end of the 2024 Suru Bhogam. So far 4464 hectares of pulses have been cultivated in the 2024 small phase. The expected production from this is 6500 MT.
In the third phase, we are cultivating pulses in 8943 hectares. Thus, a yield of 6707 metric tonnes of pulses is expected. According to this, pulses have been cultivated in 13,407 hectares this year. A yield of 13,207 metric tonnes is expected.
Our aim is to meet 75% of the annual pulse requirement in small scale.
The annual requirement of pulses in this country is 20,000 MT. We are expecting a yield of 18,828 metric tonnes by cultivating pulses in small and large bhog. Also, we provide free 25 kg seed pulses per 01 hectare for mid-term.
According to this, a farmer will be given pulse seeds worth Rs 25,000 for 01 hectare of pulse cultivation. An import duty is also expected to curb the import of pulses. This will protect the local pulse farmer as well.
We also merged two state-owned fertilizer companies into a single company.
Accordingly, its benefits have been passed on to the farmers. Thus, the State Fertilizer Company has taken steps to reduce the price of 05 types of fertilizers from 1500 to 2000 rupees.
It has been decided to reduce the cost of fertilizers for tea along with providing this concession for cultivation of kavara and coconut.
In the past farmers’ issues have been turned into political slogans. It prompted them to various protests.
But due to the agricultural modernization program launched by the present government to promote domestic agriculture, we cannot continue to turn farmers into political pawns,” added Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Agriculture and Plantation
