Expect a food import ban soon

Minister of Agriculture P Harrison has pledged to ban the importation of seven food items including green gram and cowpea.

The Minister responding to a question raised by an Opposition MP in Parliament today said the decision had been reached as domestic harvest has improved this year. He said the ban will come into effect later this year and noted that measures have been taken to improve the domestic agriculture industry.

Minister of Agriculture P Harrison said last year alone, nearly 10,000 metric tonnes of green gram were imported and stressed that the importation of green gram will be prohibited during the course of the year. He added wheat importation must also be restricted to safeguard the local farmers.

Speaking in Parliament the Agriculture Minister said as a result of research conducted by scientists, the government has been able to limit imports and save massive foreign exchange.

He said the country’s farming community has been able to yield a bigger harvest through the use of high-quality grains produced by local experts.