Record paddy harvest predicted

The Yala paddy harvest will reach a record 1,916,138 metric tons this year according to the statistics of the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agricultural Research and Training Institute (HARTI).

Paddy was cultivated in 501,017 hectares this Yala by end June and harvesting has been begun by farmers.

An Information Department release said that the HARTI has predicted a sharp drop in the price of rice since millers and stockists have started releasing Maha paddy stocks to the market with the starting of the Yala harvesting. The release said the government alone could not control the price of rice in the market. Farmers should also try to release their stocks according to the needs of the market.