Extent of paddy cultivation expected in Yala season exceeds 700,000 hectares

Although 570,000 hectares of paddy fields were expected to be cultivated in the Yala season by the Ministry of Agriculture, authorities emphasize that the extent of paddy fields expected to be cultivated in the 2023 Yala season will exceed 700,000 hectares due to the free mud fertilizer (Triple Super Phosphate) provided by the government.

These figures were disclosed in a discussion held on last Thursday (06) between Mr.Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Agriculture and all the provincial agriculture authorities and officials of the Mahaweli Authority.

The Minister of Agriculture stated that during this Yala season, it would record the highest extent of paddy fields cultivated in the country.

This Yala season is the first cultivation season which receives all chemical fertilizers at the same time after three cultivation seasons. Also, all farmers are prepared for paddy cultivation due to the fact that the majority of reservoirs and tanks are filled with adequate water for cultivation.

In order to reduce the cost of production of farmers, the government has taken specific measures to provide a subsidy of Rs.20,000 per hectare and Rs. 40,000 per 02 hectares to buy fertilizers in this Yala season.

Mud fertilizer will be provided free of charge and this amount will be given to buy other fertilizers. The minister stated in the discussion that arrangements have been made to further reduce the prices of Urea and MOP fertilizers.

Also, the Minister of Agriculture further mentioned that the companies have agreed to reduce the prices of herbicides and pesticides by 20 percent as requested by the farmers and it will also be a benefit for farmers.