Move to promote rice based products

by Anushka Nanayakkara

The Government will provide 50 percent of the cost for agricultural research on rice products, said Minister of Agriculture and Development Hemakumara Nanayakkara at the launching ceremony of rice based products organised by the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) along with CIC Agribusinesses.

The Minister said that the consumption of rice has dropped and changing the food habits of people is not an easy task. The Minister said the growth engine in a country is the private sector and that the government will give its fullest support for research.

The Chairman of CIC Agribusinesses B. R. L. Fernando said the availability of rice based products and consumption of rice has reduced in the country. He said the price of rice fluctuates in the market.

The ITI has taken steps to produce rice crackers and special varieties have been developed for the local and export market.