INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the current shortage of Red Rice in the market emerged as a
understand that red rice is a staple for many, especially during Thai Pongal festival
cultivation has historically been concentrated in areas such as Matara, Galle, Hambantota, and other parts of the Southern and Eastern
Minister added.The Maha season of 2024 saw a cultivation area of 277,000 hectares, producing approximately 706,000 metric tons of paddy,
while the Yala season contributed 403,097 metric tons from a similar cultivated area
Despite these figures, the Minister highlighted that inefficient distribution policies have left the market short of red rice.Looking
forward, Minister Samarasinghe provided reassurance about the upcoming Maha season in 2025, where 161,067 hectares have already been
cultivated, with an expected yield of 648,200 metric tons
He pointed to a pre-election initiative where 20 kilograms of red rice per family were distributed indiscriminately, even to individuals who
