The government has imposed restrictions on the importation of some agricultural crops amid the sharp depreciation of the rupee currency.
The government has restricted the importation of Corn, Green gram, Peanut, Dried chilli, Black gram (Undu), Turmeric, Ginger, Black-eyed pea (cowpea), Big onion and Red onion among other crops.
“Restrictions have been imposed on the importation of most of the agricultural crops, we hope our farmers will be able to produce adequate amounts during the “Yala” season,” said W. M. W. Weerakoon, Director General at the Department of Agriculture.
Weerakoon said attention has been drawn towards broadening cultivation of these crops in the country.
“We expect about 20,000 hectares of corn, 13,000 hectares of green gram and 8,000 hectares of peanuts to be cultivated during the “Yala” season,” Weerakoon said.
Commenting on the importation of Dried Chilies, Weerakoon said dried chillies were entirely imported from overseas, and the department has proposed a program to produce chilli in the country.
“During the “Yala” season we expect to cultivate about 5,000 hectares of chilli and increase it up to 15,000 hectares in the future,” said Weerakoon.
