Ampara district ready for paddy harvesting

M A Phakurdeen, Addalaichenai group correspondent

Ampara district, the granary of the East is getting ready for the Maha 2012/13 paddy harvesting. Farmers are making preliminary arrangements to reap a bumper harvest.

Ampara district, which experienced heavy showers during the past few weeks have ceased now.

Ampara district agriculture director A R A Latheef said 88,763 hectares of paddy lands were brought under paddy in both major and minor irrigation schemes in the district, unlike in the past and farmers were engaged in paddy cultivation as the government has provided assistance.

Paddy harvesting commenced in Akkaraipattu and suburbs and combined paddy harvesters are now being taken out from their sheds for seasonal work.

Meanwhile, tractors lying idle in sheds are seen plying along roads transporting paddy from the threshing fields.