Govt. to export surplus rice, vegetables

29 April 2012 07:30 am - 37 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said there was a surplus of rice and vegetables in the country now and steps would be taken to export them to gross an additional income.

He said this came as a result of agricultural development programmes implemented by the government. He said the government took several measures to use these excess food items for food processing programmes and also to foreign markets.

He also pointed out that the reason for excess food production was due to home gardening process by the public. The minister requested vegetable exporters to take necessary measures to export such excess vegetables.

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Comments - 37

manpei Monday, 30 April 2012 02:06 AM

it's not very wist of him to make such a comment when increases to flour and bread prices are being announced.

meranchi Sunday, 29 April 2012 12:26 PM

very good move but should not be only the word......i

Sammy Sunday, 29 April 2012 01:56 PM

Make use of this excess to reduce prices here.

pancake Sunday, 29 April 2012 01:56 PM

Our agricultural products do not meet international quality standards. Unless of course if we are exporting to Somalia.

Nodrog Sunday, 29 April 2012 02:27 PM

Its a free country Don so we can eat what we like! Don't you have anything foreign in your home?

lankashantha Sunday, 29 April 2012 03:09 PM

First you people must go to Thailand and and learn the standards of these products over there before entering in this venture.

j Sunday, 29 April 2012 03:01 PM

If we want to export doller has to be 150-160 level, if not our price is double in south asia, PPL please check it with our friend who live in M.E

j Sunday, 29 April 2012 03:21 PM

over seas no demand for our vegitables

ULM ali Monday, 30 April 2012 01:26 AM

Who will get profit?.

citizen1 Monday, 30 April 2012 01:50 AM

Sensible is the last word that should be used to describe any person belonging to the cabinet.

Real peace Sunday, 29 April 2012 12:20 PM

If this happens the local price of rice will go up by many folds and again the poor in our country will bear the brunt. Families in poverty should get rice for subsidised price - THESE FAMILIES NOW DON'T BUY RICE AND THAT'S WHY THERE IS 'SURPLUSS RICE!!!'

jacoob Monday, 30 April 2012 03:08 AM

when did he come down from 25%

puran Monday, 30 April 2012 03:26 AM

Could not have said it better mysef.z

10%. You hit the nail right on the head?

KMM osman Monday, 30 April 2012 03:10 AM

Feed the poor before u Export and fill your Pocket with the income

Impartial Monday, 30 April 2012 04:15 AM

If there is a surplus of rice & vegetables why not sell them locally at a reduced price, as a sort of relief to the fiery cost of living.

Dhushy Monday, 30 April 2012 05:47 AM

what about the 10%??? ;)

sahdi Monday, 30 April 2012 07:09 AM

PLEASE TELL....! MR. BANDULA(7500) TO TEACH MR.BASIL WHAT IS THE MEANING IN BETWEEN IMPORTS ND EXPORTS

Lapas Monday, 30 April 2012 08:05 AM

First of all bring down the prices in SL, before exporting

sabs Monday, 30 April 2012 07:50 AM

first of all feed your own people(poor) then look for the export.

Labby Sunday, 29 April 2012 09:56 AM

We once had a prime minister who gave rice to his citizens free. The present administration, however, cannot give it even at cost.

steven Sunday, 29 April 2012 07:37 AM

really???
why are we importing rice then??

Don Sunday, 29 April 2012 08:06 AM

importing rice because people like you need Basmati .

Bavana John Sunday, 29 April 2012 08:29 AM

May be Minister is confiused of export & import. Dont worry after some time it will be ok.

Sunil Ataha Sunday, 29 April 2012 08:38 AM

PAN PALYAN LABANSUMANE OHE PLALAYAN MAGE PARANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hi..Hi....Hi......Is the Hon. Minister having a dream? Hope this not a dream he saw. Jay wewa!!!!!!!!!!!

Jawfer Sunday, 29 April 2012 08:44 AM

You are a sensible minister out all cabinet colleague.
good move keep it up.

Imran Hussein Sunday, 29 April 2012 09:03 AM

When are we going to start that loan scheme to europe. There are some super jokers in the cabinet not only mafiasos.

weha Sunday, 29 April 2012 09:12 AM

Leave the grass for us

Mahajanaya Sunday, 29 April 2012 09:22 AM

Basil I’ll make you seal, Don’t be child there is no enough vegi. and rice in the country to our people. We also beg from other country. Export, Export, Export once you do this who will get benefit.

mudasser Sunday, 29 April 2012 08:08 AM

come on men! if there is surplus in the country give to the poor at a lower cost without bullshitting for lies...

Dinithi Sunday, 29 April 2012 09:56 AM

But if the government can earn more money from exporting that is a source of foreign exchange. That will fetch a higher price for poor farmers as well.

Renu Sunday, 29 April 2012 10:03 AM

Mr. Minister don't export Rice we need it as Bread is not affordable now Rs: 60/- per 400g

Laxana Sunday, 29 April 2012 10:06 AM

True enough. If the government cannot give for free why not reduce the prices of rice and vegetables so that the lower income people would benefit.

dev Sunday, 29 April 2012 09:51 AM

PA supporters will accept anything MR group of company says.

Gona Sunday, 29 April 2012 10:28 AM

How sensible are you to make such a foolish comment?

Patta Pal Sunday, 29 April 2012 10:51 AM

It should have been part of the Divi Neguma program. Now it is too late as there is nothing that is currently being produced of export quality. It is typical of the media myth created by this government that just does not seem to know how to plan and manage the economy well.

A Concerned Citizen Sunday, 29 April 2012 11:25 AM

Does this not show the quality of (forward) planning in the country? Is the government responsible for this state? Why do people have to wait till there is a surplus (if it is true) to think of what to do? Without forward planning are you not going to sell these perishable stuff dirt cheap? Then, won't it be better to sell cheap to the locals to reduce wheat consumption?

Musthafa Sunday, 29 April 2012 11:14 AM

Good action to get 10% commission from each export- Minister keep it up!!

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Govt. to export surplus rice, vegetables

Comments - 37

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