Sri Lanka Becomes Maize Exporter
SRI LANKA - Sri Lanka which used to produce only 15 per cent of the country’s maize requirement has achieved self sufficiency in maize and the first 50,000 Metric Tonnes are to be exported to Canada, Taiwan and Middle East countries this year.
15 May 2012
2 minute read
By: The country's maize demand is 180,000 metric tonnes (MT) per year and during harvesting of the first season a yield of 200,000 MT have been obtained.
According to the Managing Director of Wayamba Traders Company, Shahul Hameed Sadikeen, they would be exporting 50,000 metric tonnes mainly to be used as raw material to manufacture poultry feed.
Mr Sadikeen said that with more land being made available for agriculture, Sri Lanka achieved self sufficiency in maize this year.
"The country's demand is 180,000 tonnes per year and during harvesting of the first season the yield is 200,000 tonnes," Mr Sadikeen said.
Mr Sadikeen added that they are now looking at manufacturing poultry food in Sri Lanka for exporting to these countries.
Wayamba Traders has a forward sales buying agreement with 2,220 farmers in the Anuradhapura district giving them a guaranteed price of Rs. 35 per kilo. Since the maize plant takes only around three and a half months to mature, farmers earn a profit of around £700 (Rs. 150,000) growing two and a half acres of maize, Mr Sadikeen said.
