* Rs. 3 billion to buy the maize harvest in Sri Lanka
Thursday, February 26, 2009, 16:24 GMT, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Feb 26, Anuradhapura: Sri Lanka government has allocated nearly Rs. 3 billion to buy the maize harvest in this season.

Minister of Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development, S.M Chandrasena, who represents the Anuradhapura District, where most of the maize cultivation takes place in the country said the government hopes to give at least Rs. 28 for a kilo of maize.

According to the Minister, KFC, one of the main private companies involved in maize related products have offered to buy the maize harvest in Anuradhapura district under the direction of the government.

However most of the farmers pointed out that their maize harvest has been destroyed severely this time due to the prevailing climate in the country.

The Livestock Ministry together with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has taken steps to develop and expand maize cultivation in Sri Lanka.