Traditional paddy varieties cultivated

Sumathipala Deeyagahage Southern Province Roving Corr.

The Southern Province Development Authority has implemented a projet to cultivate traditional varieties of paddy in the fallow paddy lands in the Southern Province. Traditional varieties of paddy have been cultivated in 400 acres of paddy lands in the Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts.

Varieties such as Ma, Suwadel, Rathdel and Heenati are cultivated under the technical advice of the Agriculture Department. The Southern Province Development Authority has provided credit facilities for farmers for cultivation.

There is a big demand in the market for rice produced from the traditional varieties of paddy.