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Seed prices to be regulated

02 Dec 2021

BY Buddhika Samaraweera Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage has instructed the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) to formulate a programme to regulate the prices of all seeds produced locally and those that are imported. During a NASC meeting at the Agriculture Ministry yesterday (2), Aluthgamage claimed that certain traders are selling 50 g of imported seeds at a price between Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 6,000. Taking into account the matter, he has instructed the NASC to take action to regulate the prices of both locally produced and imported seeds, as farmers are being exploited on a large scale. Speaking further, Aluthgamage said that all farms owned by the Department of Agriculture should be used for seed production based on accurate information on the need for seeds in the country, adding: “The process of producing the seeds required in the country itself should be expedited. The responsibility to implement it lies with the Agriculture Department and the NASC.” He has also instructed the NASC to study 12 matters, including the quality of seeds in the country as well as the amount of seeds produced locally and their varieties, within three months, and to submit a detailed report. Meanwhile, Department of Agriculture Director General Dr. Ajantha De Silva, who attended the said meeting, noted that all farms under the Department of Agriculture are currently being modernised with the latest technology for seed production. He also said the requirement of certain types of seeds such as peanuts is entirely met locally even at present.


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