ADB funds Rs. 8 b for cash allowance to ‘Maha Season’ paddy farmers

The Government has decided to provide non-refundable financial assistance up to a maximum of Rs. 20,000 to farmers who are cultivating paddy for the ‘Maha Season’.

The President’s Media Division said the Government received Rs. 8 billion from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) following a request made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Against this backdrop, an allowance of Rs. 10,000 will be given to small-scale paddy farmers who have engaged in farming activities on lands to the extent of one hectare or less and an allowance of Rs. 20,000 will be given to farmers engaged in paddy cultivation on lands over one hectare.

The financial assistance will be provided only to paddy farmers, and the funds will be directly credited to their accounts.

The amount of paddy to be cultivated during the Maha Season is 800,000 hectares and the Government is planning to give this allowance to all paddy farmers to buy MOP fertiliser.

Minister Amaraweera said that the amount proposed to be spent for the program is Rs. 8 billion and 1.2 million farming families will be entitled to the benefit.