Farmers free to sell paddy to private buyers, says Namal Karunaratne

Farmers are under no requirement to hand over their harvested paddy exclusively to the government, according to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne.

The deputy minister stated that farmers possess the opportunity to sell their paddy to the private sector as well. He further noted that the private sector remains bound to purchase paddy at the exact same price set by the government.

Consequently, Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne expressed confidence that the issues faced by the farming community can be resolved by supplying paddy to both the government and the private sector.

Elaborating further, the deputy minister said:

"There is no requirement saying it must be given to the government itself. The private sector is also bound to purchase paddy at the very price the government takes it for. Therefore, by providing this paddy to both parties, the government and the private sector, the problem of our farming community can be resolved."