Minister suggests exporting Sri Lanka's surplus rice and vegetables

Sun, Apr 29, 2012, 08:33 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Apr 29, Colombo: Economic Development Minister of Sri Lanka Basil Rajapaksa says that measures should be taken to export the surplus of rice and vegetables in the country.
Speaking at a meeting of fruit and vegetable growers and exporters in the country held at the Economic Development Ministry, Rajapaksa has said there was currently a surplus of rice and vegetables in the country and a move to export these products could earn an additional income to the country.



He has noted that the surplus of rice and vegetables was due to the many development programs the government has initiated in the agriculture sector.

Representatives of vegetable farmers associations have said that there have been record harvests in all regions of the country including the North and the East due to the conducive weather experienced in the country.

Quality seeds provided by the government and the support extended for home gardening have contributed to the surplus in vegetables and the vegetable prices have come down in the market as a result.

According to the Minister, excess food items are already being used for food processing programs and also being exported to foreign markets.

The Minister has called on the vegetable exporters to take necessary steps to export the excess vegetables in the country.