Good rice harvest doubtful with prolonged dry spell: Amaraweera

8 August 2023 03:52 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 9 Bookmark

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An adequate rice harvest is doubtful as the country has been hit by a prolonged drought at a time when the growing paddy pods have begun to appear in rice fields, Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera told Parliament.

“Paddy is not the only crop that has been affected by the dry spell but others including banana and vegetables as well. We have discussed these matters in the Cabinet and the responsibilities will be fulfilled,” the Minister added.

“We are happy with the Cabinet decision to release water from the Samanalawewa. We are also glad that it has been possible to release water to some extent. It is essential that Parliament comes up with a policy on irrigation and power generation as well,” Minister Amaraweera said.

Also the Minister proposed the appointment of a policy-making body comprising representatives from the Agriculture Ministry, Ministry of Power and Energy and the Department of Meteorology.(Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)

Comments - 9

Anthony Tuesday, 08 August 2023 04:04 PM

Mr. Minister yes you are doing your best and trying to solve issues which is much appreciated unfortunately you need two hands to clap, and by opposition and other parties provoking the farmers it's very difficult to satisfy them. The president should take a stern step on this in paying Rs 100 per kilo and pay the farmers what was promised.

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Stop doing white elephant ventures like expecting all rice to be grown here Tuesday, 08 August 2023 05:19 PM

It was only ever a pipe dream that there would be enough rice grown here all the time. Importing is the only way to ensure stable well priced rice for us. Giving away free land for farming only increases the pace of Climate Change as forest cover is reduced. Government has to stop misleading about rice able to be grown long term to be enough for local market. Having farmers growing rice is big loser venture, and government should start discouraging farming, and start finding other avenues for earning for our public.

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DOT Tuesday, 08 August 2023 05:31 PM

Can't we get a better weather focarst right from the beginning of the season so as to minimize the cost? What is the role of research stations !

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Sokrates Tuesday, 08 August 2023 06:04 PM

For the production of rice, 2000 to 5000 liters of water are required for 1 kg. An absolute environmental sin, especially when water is becoming increasingly scarce, especially in a country like Sri Lanka, where there is not enough drinking water. The type of cultivation should possibly be changed from wet rice cultivation to dry rice cultivation. Although this is more expensive, it protects nature and water reserves.

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DOT Tuesday, 08 August 2023 06:52 PM

Please give high priority for Rain Water Harvesting! It's a felt need !

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Jayantha Tuesday, 08 August 2023 07:54 PM

Use these lands for export oriented crops or rearing of animals for export market and local market instead of wasting water and lands. Rice cultivation with various government subsidiary is an utter waste of foreign reserves as well as local resources as no benfit for the country at the end as fertilizer always imported. Instead use lands for export oriented matter and then we will get in more foreign revenue. Then you can import rice from a low cost country. We cannot move forward without major changes in the country.

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Joshua Tuesday, 08 August 2023 09:18 PM

Curse of politicians now falling on farmers

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Nimal Wednesday, 09 August 2023 07:57 AM

The minister was ecstatic about cultivating a record extent of land during this Yala season. The pin president even went to the extent of stating that the surplus of rice would cause an additional problem. Now, we are left with tens of thousands of acres of straw that can be used as fodder to feed cattle.

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rbh Wednesday, 09 August 2023 09:33 AM

Bring water from India send the parliamentarian for training to India

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