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After several decades farmers of the East were able to regain for their province the title ‘The Granary of the East’, Dr. Navaratnarajah said.
The Eastern Province, which earlier contributed 25 per cent of the country’s total paddy production during the period of the country’s first Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake slid down to 16 per cent. The Provincial Council wanted to suggest to the Treasury that the subsidy given to farmers on the purchase of fertiliser be given in cash to enable them to produce their own organic manure instead of the inorganic fertilizer given to them, he said.
Currently the Government purchases a bag of urea at Rs 7,300 and sells it to farmers at Rs 350.
The Minister said the Provincial Council wants this subsidy given in cash commencing with the forthcoming Yala season.
This year’s bumper harvest was possible as 131,000 acres of new paddy land, including 49,000 acres of fallow land, had been brought under cultivation, he said.
"All this was possible because the Government had liberated the Eastern province. We do not expect everything from the Government but would appreciate some assistance from UN donors and INGOs," he said.
If all goes well the Eastern province could export 3000 tons of organically produced rice. In the event of a rains failure, plans are afoot to cultivate other cash crops like, maize, green gram, soya beans and cowpea, he said.
