The speech made by the Minister of Agriculture about what is going to happen to rice due to the decisions of the President !

There is a shortage of rice in the country and there is a need to import a large quantity of rice this year, said the Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera.

“There is a shortage of rice. At present the Minister of Trade is taking steps to import rice. There is a need to bring in large quantities of rice this year. ”

He was speaking at a media briefing today (May 31).

However, he stated that a plan is being drawn up to stop the import of rice from next year and to produce the required rice locally.

At present 338,000 metric tons of rice has been imported and more will have to be imported in the future, the Minister said.

Also, the Paddy Marketing Board has procured 40,000 metric tons of rice and sold it to the CWE. Mr. Amaraweera further stated that arrangements will be made to distribute through supermarkets.