The expected paddy harvest for this year’s Maha season has not been achieved, according to Minister of Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe.
Speaking during the Budget Committee stage debate in Parliament, Minister Samarasinghe stated that while the projected harvest was two and a half million metric tons, the estimated yield is only 2.4 million metric tons.
He attributed the shortfall to adverse weather conditions and flooding, which significantly impacted crop production.
The Minister warned that if the rice market faces supply issues due to the reduced harvest, the government will be compelled to import rice to ensure sufficient supply for the population.
