Farmers stage protest demanding fair paddy prices and storage

A protest organised by the National Farmers' Federation took place this morning in front of the Thirappane Agrarian Services Centre, focusing on the demands "Do not lower paddy prices!", "Open paddy warehouses immediately!", and "Provide a guaranteed price for paddy!".

A large number of local farmers representing the Thirappane Agrarian Centre Council of the National Farmers' Federation joined this protest.

The farmers, who engaged in the protest for nearly an hour, subsequently met the Thirappane Divisional Secretary and handed over a memorandum.

They briefed the Divisional Secretary at that instance regarding the issue of marketing paddy affecting Thirappane farmers and the lack of a government paddy warehouse.

The Divisional Secretary, who spoke after accepting the memorandum, noted that arrangements will be made to discuss with the Paddy Marketing Board and open a warehouse necessary for farmers to market their paddy in the future.

Farmer representatives expressed their views at that instance.

National Farmers' Federation Executive Committee member Sanjeewa Bandara and National Farmers' Federation National Steering Committee member Ruwan Madhuranga stated this while expressing views to the media during the protest.

"Farmers do not receive a proper price to market their harvests. Furthermore, farmers face severe issues today due to the lack of a government paddy warehouse to purchase paddy. The government must intervene in these matters immediately."

The farmers strongly urged the government at this instance to promptly provide them with a fair, guaranteed price and paddy storage facilities during the harvesting period without letting them fall into the hands of brokers.