Steps have been taken to increase the price of paddy starting from the upcoming cultivation season, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Namal Karunaratne announced.
He said a decision has been made to revise the prices of Samba and Keeri Samba paddy varieties, while assuring that there will be no increase in rice prices.
Explaining the revisions, Deputy Minister Karunaratne stated that the price of Nadu paddy will remain unchanged at Rs. 120. However, the price of Samba paddy will be increased from Rs. 125 to Rs. 130, and Keeri Samba paddy from Rs. 132 to Rs. 140, in order to provide greater benefits to farmers.
He added that farmers will be able to sell their harvest at the revised prices from the upcoming season itself.
The Deputy Minister also noted that although a rice mafia had been active during this period in previous years, the relevant authorities have taken measures to prevent such monopolistic practices this time.
