National plan to cultivate local rice varieties

About 30 varieties grown :

Priyanka Kurugala

The Derana Foundation has commenced a national plan to cultivate and introduce varieties of local rice to the people of the country, Derana Foundation Chairman Ruchira Gunathilake said, adding that it was done with the objective of building a healthy nation.

He said that these varieties of local rice were grown under an organic base and would contain herbal values.

It has been identified that varieties of rice grown under new technology, using chemical fertilizer, contained certain injurious material.

It was possible that such varieties could be harmful to consumers. "By now, around 500 hectares have been grown with a new rice variety.

The most Ven Inamaluwe Sumangala Thera and many other patriotic individuals too have come forward to launch this national program," he said.

Hundred acres have been grown under the direction of Ven Inamaluwe Sumangala Thera. These varieties have been grown in small plots throughout the country, he said.

He further said that, according to historical evidence, there had been a large number of varieties of local rice cultivated in the country.

Veteran Folklore Sociologist Piyasena Kahandagamage too has expressed the belief that around 2,054 varieties of local rice had been used in Sri Lanka. Chairman Gunathilake said that Plant Genetic Resources Centre in Gannoruwa has around 2,400 varieties of local rice.

At the moment about 30 varieties are grown the throughout country.

The aim of the Derana Foundation was to make popular these varieties throughout the country.

Even though these rice varieties are priced high in comparison with other varieties, under this program, the public may be motivated to consume this local rice variety at least once or twice a month initially.

It will be expanded phase by phase. Farmers also might be motivated to cultivate these varieties, he said.