The government has already purchased over 15,000 metric tons of toxin free paddy, cultivated during the last Maha season with a kilo of toxin free paddy being purchased at Rs. 60, said Ven Athuraliye Rathana Thera.
Addressing the media yesterday at the Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media Ministry yesterday, Ven. Rathana Thera said that the toxin free paddy will be released to the market under the brand name of "Dharmika Sahal".
"The current price of a kilo of toxin free paddy is Rs.200 -300 and under the 'Toxin Free Nation' three year national plan of the government, consumers would be able to purchase a kilo of toxin free paddy at the cost of Rs.150," he said.
Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake said the Ministry plans to cultivate toxin free paddy in 50,000 hectares of land and also to cultivate hybrid paddy in around 100,000 acres of land without using toxins.
"Measures will also be taken to promote SRI, Parachute cultivation methods among farmers. It is also expected to cultivate one million Kohomba trees and one million gliricidia during this yala season with the intention of making available trees that are required for the production of natural pesticides." said the Minister.
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