Govt. sets new paddy purchase prices

Thursday, 6 February 2025 04:50 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government yesterday announced new procurement prices for paddy, aiming to provide farmers with fair compensation whilst stabilising the rice market.

Addressing the media, Agriculture Minister K.D. Lalkantha, alongside Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne, detailed the revised prices set by the Paddy Marketing Board with Nadu paddy prices at Rs. 120 per kilogram, Samba at Rs. 125, and Keeri Samba at Rs. 132.

Lalkantha stressed that these prices were set after evaluating production costs and market trends, underscoring the Government’s commitment to protecting both farmers and consumers.

The Minister also defended the Government’s decision to only purchase dry paddy, arguing that this measure ensures quality and minimises storage issues.

However, farmer groups claimed that the regional Paddy Marketing Boards are not even ready to purchase the dry paddy from farmers, citing that most are closed.