• Govt. banned 16 food items to boost local production
• Turmeric cultivation had been successful in the country

By Kelum Bandara  

The pandemic has obstructed the government in achieving its target for self-sufficiency in food crops, a minister said.  

The government banned the import of 16 food items to boost local production aiming for self-sufficiency. Green gram, black gram, Kurakkan (finger millet) and turmeric are among them.  

Making his remarks on the progress achieved in this regard, State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa told Daily Mirror the government intended to increase seed production, but only 40 per cent of the expected volume of work could be completed so far because of the pandemic.  

The Minister said officials and field workers could not be deployed for observation and supervision work due to the outbreak of COVID-19. However, he said turmeric cultivation had been successful in the country.