The government has recommended to import 40,000 MT of substitute rice to address the shortage of Keeri Samba in the local market.
Following the notification by the Consumer Affairs Authority that sufficient stocks of Keeri Samba are not available, the Food Security and Cost of Living Committee, which met at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (June 25) made the above recommendation.
Accordingly, around 5,000 MT of rice will be imported through state institutions while the remaining will be imported by the private sector, the PMD said.
A decision was also made to continue purchasing Keeri Samba paddy at a price of Rs. 120 per kilogram through the Paddy Marketing Board and Sathosa in order to safeguard local farmers.
Discussions were also held regarding the provision of storage facilities for Corn required for Thriposha production and the importation of rice or broken rice or else alternative raw materials for beer and animal feed production.
Attention was drawn during the discussions to the production of corn based on consumer demand, as well as the production of canned fish, eggs and meat and importation of salt.
Fertiliser importation, stock maintenance, supply and distribution were also discussed. The progress of fertiliser distribution for the Yala season, the progress of issuing “Odapana” loans and the overall success of cultivation activities during the Yala season were reviewed as well.
