The Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage says that steps will be taken to stop the importation of chillies within the next three years.
Speaking to the media in Anuradhapura, he pointed out that a special program is already underway to produce chillies needed for consumption from the country.
“We will select 2000 families in the Anuradhapura district and hope to cultivate chillies in 1000 families. At present we import 100 percent of country’s chillie consumption to Sri Lanka.
The President hopes to stop the importation of chillies completely within the next three years. Therefore, 7 districts have been identified. One of them is Anuradhapura. We will identify 1000 families and are cultivating chillies on half an acre each.
We are providing assistance of Rs. 300,000 each to this farmer. Each farmer earns about 150,000 rupees a month. ”