Chillie cultivation enhanced in Matale district

A.A.L. Dias - Matale district Gr. Corr.

The agriculture department has planned to increase the Chilli Cultivation in Matale district within the yala season.

At present, the chillie cultivation in the district is limited only to 250 acres. Under the new plan it will be extended to 2500 acres. Especially, the dry zone of the district, will be used for the purpose.

However, presently, 20 percent of the annual requirement of Chillie is produced in the country.

Therefore, 80 percent of it is imported, spending Rs. 4500 million according to the statistics. The officials said that if we could produce the necessary requirement of Chillie in the country, a large sum of money can be saved.

With a view to encourage the farmers for Chillie Cultivations, the agriculture department will provide all facilities to the growers while the Government has introduced a fixed rate for dried Chillie as Rs. 350 per kilogram.