The purchase of the Maha season paddy harvest has been started by private traders, but the government has not announced a guaranteed price for paddy yet, says Anuradha Tennakoon, the chairman of the National Farmers’ Union.
He points out that the paddy harvest has begun in all areas including Ampara and Akkaraipattu, but a guaranteed price for paddy has not yet been announced. He says that the minister in charge of the subject called the farmers for a discussion and deceived them by lying.
Considering the expenses and income of paddy farmers, he stated that since the cost of production of one kilo of paddy is about Rs. 116, a reasonable profit is expected. He also stated that a profit of Rs. 29 per kilo of paddy is expected with a production profit of 25%.
He stated that if the guaranteed price for paddy is not announced soon, the traders will buy paddy at a cheap price.