Army-run farms produce ample stocks of rice for sale to troops at subsidized prices

In an effort to contribute towards promoting self-sufficiency in rice and ensuring food security in the country, troops have produced an ample stock of paddy through Army-run farms of the Directorate of Agriculture and Livestock for distribution among military personnel at subsidized prices.

Under the multifaceted ‘Thuru Mithuru-Nawa Ratak’ crop cultivation and afforestation project initiated by the Army Commander, paddy harvests of the Maha-2019 and Yala-2020 seasons were collected from newly cultivated Sri Jayewardenepura paddy fields adjoining Army HQ and from other Army farms elsewhere, including organically-produced local varieties of ‘suwandel’, ‘kaluheeneti’ etc.

The species were grown with minimal use of harmful pesticides and chemicals. The stocks of rice free of toxic chemicals produced in the farms were, as instructed by the Army Commander, delivered for sale to Army welfare stalls managed by the Security Force HQ-East, Regimental HQs at Panagoda Army Cantonment and Army Seva Vanitha Unit-managed welfare shops at Kendalanda, Manning Town, Rukmalgama, Panaluwa, Jawatte and Wattala.

On the eve of Army Day on Friday (9), Brigadier Indrajith Kandanaarachchi, Director, Directorate of Agriculture and Livestock, delivered a stock of 25,000 kgs of Army-produced rice to the Army Seva Vanitha Unit (ASVU) at the HQ for distribution among ASVU-run Army welfare shops under the supervision of Mrs Sujeewa Nelson, President, ASVU.

Lieutenant Colonel Nishantha Muttanthirige, Commanding Officer, 6 (V) Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps at Kandakadu, on behalf of the Director Agriculture and Livestock, handed over the stock to Colonel Sumeda Balasuriya and Colonel Aruna Wijekoon of the ASVU office for sale to troops at subsidized prices at welfare shops.