Task Force to study to produce seeds locally

The Ministry of Agriculture has appointed a Task Force (TF) to study the possibilities of producing potato, onion and vegetable seeds locally.

The government spends over Rs, one billion annually to import these seeds.

Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, following the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has appointed the TF to promote local agri-products.

The TF is expected to recommend means to produce seeds 100 percent locally.

The TF is headed by Additional Secretary G.A.M.S. Amitiyagoda and comprises of Director General Agriculture Department K.N. Mankotte and some private sector experts.

The TF is tasked to probe the reasons to close the seeds producing centres, storage facilities and selling centres and to re-establish these centres.