Agriculture minister warns of looming food shortage

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera says, that as a result of the change in weather in Sri Lanka, there is a risk of facing a shortage in food in the country. The minister stated this in a discussion that was held to come up with a strategy in increasing the production of food crops.

The minister further stated that 70,000 acres of rice fields were destroyed due to the drought that was experienced in recent days. The minister said almost one hundred acres of rice fields that were close to harvest were destroyed due to the heavy showers experienced across several provinces. The minister added that vegetable cultivations have also been destroyed due to the showers in the lowlands.