Sri Lanka: Agriculture Minister orders suspension of use of rice in beer and animal feed production

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed the Ministry Secretary to immediately suspend the use of rice for the production of animal feed and beer, Newsfirst reported on July 31.

The decision was taken to face the food shortage that may occur in the future due to the arid weather conditions experienced at present.

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera further informed to submit a letter prepared in this regard to the Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Consumer Affairs and the Presidential Food Safety Committee.

Paddy farmers are currently facing a severe crisis due to the dry weather.

The Ministry of Agriculture says that if there is no significant rainfall in the coming days, there may be a shortage of rice, as the expected paddy harvest for the Yala Season cannot be reaped.

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