The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock
Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne provided data on maize production and imports from 2023 to the first quarter of 2025, noting that projected 2025 production of 341,595 MT and reduced imports reflect an ongoing government promotion programme. He outlined a 2026–2030 plan to raise average yields to 6.1 MT per hectare, reduce production costs, expand technology packages and hybrids in key districts, and establish a Maize Performance Task Force linking farmers, cooperatives, and industry stakeholders. He also stated that dryers and post-harvest support would be provided to reduce aflatoxin, and that a Rs. 135 per kg farmgate price standard for 2024/25 Maha had been agreed based on estimated costs and a 30 per cent profit margin.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, answers regarding maize:
¶ 02 (a) (i) Production and imports (metric tons):
¶ 03 Year | Sown area (ha) | Production (MT) | Imports for seed (MT) | Non-seed imports (MT) | Total imports (MT) - 2023 | 75,982 | 221,249 | 1,181 | 196,061 | 197,242 - 2024 | 72,701 | 223,496 | 1,681 | 251,843 | 253,524 - 2025 Q1* | 90,766 | 341,595 | 58 | 67,876 | 67,934 *2025 first quarter — end of 2024/25 Maha projection report.
¶ 04 (ii) The Government has commenced a promotion programme: sown area 90,766 ha; projected production 341,595 MT; projected imports 67,934 MT, thereby reducing imports.
¶ 05 A 2026–2030 plan targets raising average yield to 6.1 MT/ha while reducing production cost.
¶ 06 We aim to increase domestic supply to reduce imports, thereby incentivizing local farmers. Focusing on Anuradhapura, Monaragala, Badulla, and Ampara (highest contributors), we will expand adoption of the maize technology package, introduce high-yielding double-cross hybrids, establish a Maize Performance Task Force linking all value-chain stakeholders, and strengthen cooperative networks — already underway in Anuradhapura.
¶ 07 Dryers will be provided to agri-cooperatives this year to reduce grain moisture to 14%, minimizing aflatoxin. Post-harvest technologies to prevent aflatoxin are provided via producer/marketing co-ops, with safe storage and channeling to Triposha, and with coordination from the Food Promotion Board and Marketing Board.
¶ 08 Illustrative 2024 Yala cost and yield (including labour) show average production cost around Rs. 106 per kg (varies by district due to rainfall impacts).
¶ 09 (iii) For 2024/25 Maha, a farmer achieving 4.5 MT/ha has an estimated production cost of Rs. 106/kg. With a 30% profit margin, a farmgate price standard of Rs. 135/kg was decided with consensus of all farmer associations and value-chain representatives at the Maize Task Force.
¶ 10 (iv) Under Task Force coordination, foundational steps include annually, by May, determining next year’s production requirements; ensuring supply of aflatoxin-safe grain to dependent industries; and coordinating producer and marketing co-ops.
¶ 11 (b) Not applicable.
Provenance
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- Hansard, Tuesday, 23 September 2025 ·No. 1758876121024768 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 23 September 2025. No. 1758876121024768. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/15536