• The annual requirement for groundnuts in the island is 30,000MT. The current harvest from the cultivation of groundnuts has exceeded 64,000 MT

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama  

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that there is no need to import jumbo peanuts as we are self-sufficient in peanut stocks.  

Addressing the media after participating in a jumbo groundnut harvesting programme at Thorakolaya government seed farm in Middeniya.  

“Sri Lanka is self-sufficient in groundnuts since an alternative variety has been cultivated locally. “The alternative groundnut variety called ‘Sri Lanka Jumbo’ is superior in quality to the imported groundnuts,” he said.Therefore, there is no need to import groundnuts.

The Sri Lanka Jumbo peanut variety, which is called the “Ceylon Jumbo,” is currently popular in Sri Lanka. The Agriculture Department has introduced this variety and said that it is high-yielding and can provide 29 percent of the daily protein requirement for humans.   rising prices of meat and fish, it is difficult for people to get the amount of animal protein they need. But the Department emphasizes that the deficiency can be met due to the protein content of peanuts.   Groundnut, cultivation has yielded a harvest exceeding the national requirements of our country. The annual requirement for groundnuts in the island is 30,000 MT. The current harvest from the cultivation of groundnuts has exceeded 64,000 MT.  

The current variety produced in our country is used for the production of jumbo peanuts. Therefore, we have been able to save a lot of money that was attracted to foreign countries so far.  

The Minister advised the Agriculture Department officials to take measures to promote related products by using the extra yield of groundnuts. They also advised taking steps to start a peanut oil and peanut butter production programme that is good for the body and to expand the cultivation of peanuts.  

Peanuts have a major place among energy-giving foods because they contain more fat (48%) and protein (26%)