Boost for local food

Ishara Mudugamuwa

The Agriculture Ministry has started several programs to promote local food. Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said he had requested farmers to cultivate traditional varieties of paddy under this program.

The National Food Promotion Board is ready to purchase traditional varieties of paddy at 60 rupees a kilogram. The Sri Lanka Hadabima Authority will provide seed paddy to farmers who like to cultivate traditional varieties of paddy. Farmers who like to cultivate traditional paddy varieties should be registered at the National Food Promotion Board, the Minister said.

The Ministry pays attention to promote local food among Sri Lankans to find solutions to increase health problems such as diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure, malnutrition and kidney diseases. Minister also requested the people to eat rice for all three meals.