A special discussion with representatives of farmer associations regarding the determination of paddy prices was held at the Govijana Mandiraya
A special discussion with representatives of farmer associations regarding the purchase of paddy by the Government and the determination of paddy prices was held today (22nd) at the Govijana Mandiraya, under the patronage of Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Mr. K.D. Lal Kantha, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Mr. Namal Karunaratne.
Representatives of Farmer association from various regions of the island were present at this occasion, and they informed the ministers and relevant officials about the issues affecting their respective areas. In this regard, Mr. Ajith, a farmer association representative from the Rajanganaya area, pointed out that although the government had controlled the paddy price during the previous cultivation season, no regulation of paddy prices by private traders had taken place.
The Polonnaruwa Farmer Association pointed out that farmers currently hold approximately 20% to 25% of their paddy stock. Mr. Bandara, representing the Thisawewa United Farmers’ Organization, also expressed his views at this occasion.
Mr. Udaya Kumara of the Polonnaruwa Major Irrigation Scheme mentioned that the price of Nadu paddy should be increased. Mr. Thakshila Deshappriya, representing Trincomalee, stated that the government should intervene to control production costs.
Mr. Anura Chandrasiri, representing the Medirigiriya Farmer Association, proposed that when allocating funds to the Paddy Marketing Board, they should be allocated separately district by district. Representatives of the Batticaloa and Ampara farmer associations requested that a fair paddy price be given to farmers.
The ministers announced that the paddy price will be determined taking all factors into consideration, and that since the current government is a people’s government, everything will be done in a manner that is not unjust to farmers, and that all arrangements have been made to open the Paddy Marketing Board during the harvesting season.
At this point, the farmer association representatives expressed their appreciation to the government for its efforts to protect the grassroots-level farmer.
In this regard, the farmer association leaders expressed their views to the media.
