Program to expand rice processing villages launched

Nimal Wijesinghe, Anuradhapura Additional District group correspondent

A program to expand rice processing villages in the North Central Province was launched by the Provincial Agriculture Development Ministry.

Provincial Agriculture Development Minister K.H. Nandasena said the systematic handling of rice processing villages was vital for empowering the livelihood of farmer families in the wake of rising prices.

There are several agencies contributing to the establishment of the rice processing villages. They are the Institute of Post Harvest Technology, Anuradhapura Samurdhi Authority and the 'Wari Pubuduwa'.

We intend to coordinate most of these agencies and make the program a strong source of self-employment in the rural areas, Nandasena pointed out. At present 90 processing villages are operating in the Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura districts manufacturing quality rice which is sold at the super market level.

Most of the small scale rice mills located in the peasantry dominant are being transformed into well equipped rice mills with components such as stone separation machines.

The North Central Provincial Council has embarked on a program to encourage the manufacturer of rice baked bread and other food products in the NCP.

It has already provided rice flour bakeries with stone separation machines and technology to 29 Pradeshiya Sabhas in the NCP to start rise flour based food production business.

There is a big demand for quality rice continuing in the industry. The Ministry has been collecting data of rice mills and farmer groups engaged in rice processing etc. to be used in the expansion program.