The Wayamba Development Bank has planned to provide a loan for maize cultivation while also supplying quality seeds, agrochemicals and fertiliser to improve the living standard of the rural people under the Mahinda Chinthana program.

A marketing centre will also be constructed at Nikaweratuya to purchase the produce of maize farmers.

Maize is the most important coarse grain, for which around 30,000 ha of land area devoted annually, the second highest extent of land next to rice. Our annual maize requirement is about 200,000 mt from which we import about 125,000 mt at a cost of rupees 1169 million rupees, mainly for utilizing in the provender industry. Local consumption is estimated at 33,000 tons and the requirements for Thriposha and other industries about 8,000 tons and 5,000 tons respectively. (ST/KH)