Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector is on the verge of transformation as Deputy Minister of Agriculture Namal Karunaratne announces a scientific breakthrough that promises record-breaking paddy yields and a shift toward global markets.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Namal Karunaratne revealed that local scientists have successfully developed new paddy varieties capable of producing an unprecedented 12,000 kilograms per hectare. He stressed that this breakthrough has the potential to elevate the nation’s agricultural sector to a new level of productivity and global competitiveness.
The Minister highlighted that the yield from these new varieties far exceeds the output currently gained from two and a half acres of traditional cultivation. According to him, the future of paddy farming in Sri Lanka will extend well beyond rice consumption, opening the door to new industries and opportunities.
Karunaratne emphasized that paddy will not be restricted to filling rice bowls but will also serve multiple industries. He noted that it can be used as animal feed, as a key ingredient in beer production, and even as a substitute for bread flour, diversifying its role in the economy.
The Deputy Minister also underlined the importance of transforming rice production from a local consumption model into an internationally competitive process. He urged that a period of three to four cultivation seasons should be allowed to fully implement this change and stabilize the new system.
With this discovery, Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector stands poised for a historic leap, potentially securing food security, expanding into new markets, and reshaping the country’s image as a major player in global paddy production.
