Paddy cultivation doubled

Jaffna special corr

Paddy cultivation in the North has increased by 100 percent. In 2009 124,000 metric tons of paddy had been harvested in the North. This has increased to 280,000 metric tons last year.

The increase was due to the assistance given to cultivators by the issue of fertilizer, seed paddy and tilling the soil at subsidised rate. The Ministry of Economic Development granted this aid through spring in North development programme. Further main tanks like Iranamadu, Akkarayan Kulam, Yothavavi, Vavanikulam had been rehabilitated and paddy plants were irrigated sufficiently during the maha season.

Paddy production in the North contribute to 15 percent paddy production in the country.