The All Ceylon Farmers’ Federation has questioned the basis on which Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera said a shortage of rice will not occur in future.
Convener Namal Karunaratne speaking at a media briefing said Minister Amaraweera has made various contradictory statements from time to time.
He questioned why Minister Amaraweera encouraged the propagation of crops in home gardens, if a food shortage was not expected.
The Farmers’ Federation called on the Minister not to make contradictory statements concerning the food shortage.
However Karunaratne stressed that the 3.6 million kilograms of rice required for yearly consumption, cannot be met since last seasons harvest was only 1.5 million kilos.
He pointed out that the reduced harvest in the market is clear signs of the imminent food shortage.
