Paddy prices up due to short supply

The Agrarian Services Department and Irrigation Department will complete Yala 2014 sowing by mid April due to shortage of water. The paddy lands in the District cannot be fully cultivated, as the annual rainfall is insufficient. Only certain areas in the District have been identified for sowing during the current Yala season.

In Addalaichenai Walalavai East Kandam 200 acres and in the West Kandam 100 acres and in Kanayankuli Kandam only 350 acres have been approved for Yala cultivation, according to the Kanayankuli Farmers' Organization President A.L.M. Farook.

About 75,000 acres of paddy lands will not be cultivated during Yala season and as such most land owners and agricultural labourers will lose their source of sustenance. The price of one bag of paddy has shot up to Rs. 2200/- at present.