Yala season: 400,000 hectares of paddy to be cultivated

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Department of Agriculture expects to cultivate 400,000 hectares of paddy this 'Yala season', officials said on Saturday (Feb. 13). "The paddy cultivation could be carried out successfully during the Yala season as the reservoirs are full of water," W.M.W. Weerakoon, the Director-General of Agriculture told News 1st. According to Weerakoon, a harvest of close to 3.1 million tonnes is expected from the 'Maha season'. Commenting on other crops, Weerakoon said the area of cultivation of other crops will be further expanded. The maize cultivation is expected to be increased from 10,000 hectares to 40,000, this 'Yala season', according to the Director-General of Agriculture.