Rehabilitated Paddy Store, Rice Mill opened in Manthai West Division Agriculture Society

Wednesday, 19 October 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development participated to opening ceremony of the Rehabilitated Paddy Store and Rice Mill for Manthai West Division Agriculture Society funded by reawaking project under the Ministry of Economic Development on 16th October 2011.

Presently Manthai West Division have 4 AKN Center called Akativeli AKN, Manthai AKN situated in rice bowl area and Vidathalthivu AKN and Illupaikadavai AKN and providing services to 15,000 acre paddy cultivation for average yield to 35,000 MT. One third of this production will be used for own consumption and balance for sale. During the harvesting poor farmer face lot of difficulties & hardship such as continuous raining during the harvesting time, price variation & price drop for paddy, influence of traders, and lack of facilities to make value added of paddy. To overcome this problem faced by poor farmer, the 33 Farmer Organization (FO) from this Manthai West Division formed Manthai West Division Agriculture Society. The cost of rehabilitation of the Paddy Store and Rice Mill is Rs. 19.70 Million. The entire these villages were re-settled in this area last 22nd Oct, 2009 in the first ceremony under UthuruVasanthaya program with the Hon. Basil Rajapaksha in the same location and the farmer started cultivation at full scale for Maha&Yala.

Reshad Badiudeen, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Government officials also participated at this occasion.