President insists on protection of minor crop cultivators, ensuring stable price

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa 

• Mulls strategies to meet local demand, export minor crops as value-added products 
• Plans underway to cultivate turmeric and ginger in 100 villages
• Govt. aims to increase maize land area to 110,000 hectares to meet 500,000 MT local demand 
• President directs officials to revive betel exports, to discuss with airlines 

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday insisted that cultivators of minor crops should be protected by ensuring stable prices going forward.

He made these remarks during a meeting to discuss future activities of the State Ministry of Development of Sugarcane, Maize, Cashew, Pepper, Cinnamon, Cloves, Betel Production, and Promotion of Allied Products and Export held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

The Government completely suspended the importation of turmeric and pepper to protect local producers of these crops. 

President Rajapaksa highlighted the importance of creating an environment to earn the highest possible income by harnessing more international markets.

During the meeting, the possibility of meeting demand for turmeric and pepper locally, exporting minor crops as value-added products, and formulating proper planning were also discussed in length. 

It was noted that plans are underway to cultivate turmeric and ginger in 100 villages, and it is planned to establish an Export Zone in the Kurundugaha Hatapma area. 

President Rajapaksa pointed out the importance of popularising consumption of pepper among the people instead of chilli consumption.

He also emphasised the need of universities to expand research work on value-added products related to minor export crops.  

At present, 80,000 hectares of land is cultivated with maize. The annual demand for maize is 500,000 metric tons. Thereby, the Government aims to increase the required land area to 110,000 hectares to get a yield of 500,000 metric tons by end of next year.

Pakistan is the major importer of Sri Lankan betel. Exports declined due to flight restrictions during the coronavirus outbreak. President Rajapaksa instructed the officials to discuss with the airlines and find a solution to this issue.

During this meeting, the promotion of sugarcane industry and cashew cultivation was discussed in detail.

Plantation Minister Ramesh Pathirana, Development of Sugarcane, Maize, Cashew, Pepper, Cinnamon, Cloves, Betel Production and Promotion of Allied Products and Export State Minister Janaka Wakkumbura, Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival Chairman Basil Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Secretaries to Cabinet and State Ministries, officials of line institutions and representatives of cultivation associations were also present at the discussion.