Importing dried chillies will be stopped by 2024 – Minister Aluthgamage

Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that import of dried chillies will be stopped by 2024.

“We will grow another 3,000 acres of lands with chillies, he said.

He said that the country is importing chilies from foreign countries at a cost of Rs. 8,900 million a year,” the Minister said. The Minister said that about 50,000 metric tonnes of dried chilies will be produced this year and about 300.000 metric tonnes of raw chillies is needed to meet the target. About 160 new chilli nurseries have been set up in the Kandy District to obtain seed chillies in this regard.

About 1,800 unemployed youngsters are on train now to grow chillies on a commercial basis in the Kandy District,” the Minister added.