Sri Lanka’s largest granary to be opened in Buttala

Sri Lanka’s largest granary constructed in Buttala, Monaragala with state-of-the-art facilities, is to be declared open 31 January. 

The opening ceremony of the granary on par with the highest international standards will be held under the patronage of Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake. The project funded by the World Bank was constructed at a cost of Rs. 260 million. 

20,000 metric tons of grains can be stored in the complex. Grains trucked to the facility will be subject to strict quality control process to ensure durability. When farmers bring in their grain harvest, the Manager of the warehouse complex, having determined the quantity and quality of the stock will issue a receipt which can be furnished to any state bank and 50% of the value of the stock can be obtained as an advance. 

During cultivation seasons where there are buffer stocks, the surplus stocks can be stored at this facility. Subsequently these stocks will gradually be released to the market and as a result the farmers are guaranteed of a higher price for their produce as the middlemen are eliminated through this process. Farmers can also keep their stocks of grains at the facility until market prices reach higher levels. 

The first such facility in Sri Lanka was established at Galenbindunuwewa, Anuradhapura and a similar complex is now under construction in Mannar. Further, the Ministry of Finance has planned to construct three more granary complexes in Kilinochchi, Polonnaruwa and Embilipitiya this year in line with its overall plan to ensure a better deal for local farmers. The Government through the 2016 budget has allocated Rs. 1000 million for this.