Yala season: 50,000 acres of barren paddy fields to be cultivated

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Department of Agrarian Development has planned to cultivate 50,000 acres of barren paddy fields in the coming 'Yala season'. Under this new initiative to be launched, close to 125,000 acres of paddy fields in the Western province and in several others selected districts will be cultivated, A.H.M.L. Abeyratne, the Commissioner-General at the Department told News 1st on Thursday (Feb. 18). According to Abeyratne, the paddy seeds required to cultivate barren fields will be provided at a concessionary rate and the construction of canals for the cultivation process will be conducted with the assistance of the Agrarian Development Department.