Sri Lanka, June 27 -- Farmer organisations are warning of a potential shortage in other rice varieties by September, in addition to the current Keeri Samba shortage.

They accuse the government of lacking accurate data on rice production, which they claim has led to the necessity of importing substitute rice.

The Food Policy and Security Committee has recommended importing 40,000 metric tonnes of substitute rice for Keeri Samba.

Of this, 5,000 metric tonnes are to be imported by state institutions, with the remainder handled by the private sector.

However, farmer representatives argue that the government lacks proper data on the nation's overall rice production and existing Keeri Samba stocks.

Anuradha Tennakoon, Chairman of the Natio...