The government has given the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) Rs. 6,000 million to buy paddy during the current Yala season, marking a major step towards supporting paddy farmers. With the first Rs. 500 million now paid out, the PMB was able to build 36 warehouses nationwide to streamline the purchasing process.
According to PMB Chairman Mr. Buddhika Iddamalgoda, farmers have only sold the PMB 100,000 metric tons of paddy despite their readiness. This has been linked to the higher prices that private buyers have been willing to offer since the PMB entered the market.
The market rate for paddy types like Keeri Samba has increased as a result of private sector purchasers raising their prices after the PMB started buying paddy. The cost per kilogram has risen over Rs. 130, having previously been between Rs. 105 and Rs. 110. This is a record high, and it’s the first time in the history of the nation that Samba paddy has ever reached the Rs. 130 threshold.
Chairman Iddamalgoda emphasized that farmers have profited directly from the price hike, which has increased their crop returns for this season.
The Minister of Plantation Industries and Agriculture, Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera, stressed that the PMB has achieved a great deal of success with this price rise. According to him, the government’s main goal of ensuring a just return for farmers is served by the higher market prices, even though the Board has not received as much paddy as anticipated.
The minister stated that protecting farmers and consumers while maintaining stable rice prices is the responsibility of the PMB. As a result of government action, the private sector is now offering more competitive prices, achieving the objectives of the state.
Minister Amaraweera denied as untrue statements made by some politically connected farmer groups regarding low paddy prices and difficulty in selling. He reiterated that in the event that private sector offers fall short of a reasonable rate, the government, with the backing of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, is prepared to buy paddy at government-set prices.