Farmers allege Rs. 50 loss per 1kg of paddy

Selling a kilogram of paddy under the government guaranteed price forces a loss of about 50 rupees, farmers in several areas allege.

They state that they should receive a price of at least 140 rupees for a kilogram of paddy. Farmers of the Swarnapaligama Farmers' Organisation, belonging to the Parakrama Samudra scheme in the Polonnaruwa district, are harvesting paddy cultivated during Yala season.

However, falling paddy prices in the market these days have left farmers helpless, unable to sell their harvest at a fair price.

Farmers alleged that the paddy stores are closed although the government assured paddy stores would be opened to purchase paddy.

Meanwhile, Huruluwewa farmers face severe difficulties because the paddy store of the Paddy Marketing Board in the Yakalla area of Galenbindunuwewa remains closed. Paddy harvesting in the area have started, but farmers in the Yakalla area state that the government has not implemented a programme to purchase paddy.

Meanwhile, farmers alleged that the government avoids purchasing paddy, falsely claiming that the paddy stores are under repair.