Govt announces certified paddy prices

The announcement was made by Minister of Agriculture K.D. Lal Kantha and Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne, who outlined the revised procurement rates following careful evaluations of rice market trends and the production costs faced by farmers.

According to Minister Lal Kantha, the newly set prices for different types of paddy are as follows:

• Nadu paddy will be purchased at Rs. 120 per kilogram
• Samba paddy will be purchased at Rs. 125 per kilogram
• Keeri Samba paddy will be purchased at Rs. 132 per kilogram

The Minister also emphasized that the government will only purchase dry paddy from farmers, ensuring quality standards are met for the rice market. This move is part of the government’s efforts to secure fair prices for farmers while simultaneously maintaining stability within the rice market, preventing price fluctuations.

The Paddy Marketing Board is set to begin purchasing paddy at these revised rates immediately, marking a crucial step in supporting the agricultural sector and ensuring the sustainability of rice production in the country.

Farmers, who have been facing increasing production costs, are expected to benefit from this new initiative, which aims to provide them with a more stable income while ensuring the long-term stability of the local rice market.