Paddy prices decline

22 August 2011 03:30 pm - 4 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Paddy prices have dropped drastically with the harvesting of the Yala cultivation in paddy producing areas in the country, the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute said today.

The price remains as low as Rs.23 a kilo for the Nadu variety, which is much less than the government’s price guaranteed for farmers last year. Last year the government assured Rs.28 per kilo. This price is reported to be hardly sufficient to cover the production costs, according to farmers.

The institute stressed the need for proper management of stocks to maintain the prices.

It was explained that there are two options available to maintain the price stability. The first one according to the institute is state purchasing while the other option is the release of stocks to the market according to the demand by the farmers themselves.

The institute said Sri Lanka could also follow a number of other countries where the farmers are trained to store the stocks. While accepting that this is a costly method the institute also said it would be possible to provide loans for the farmers keeping the their paddy as a collateral.

Meanwhile the institute said Sri Lanka should be able to export rice if the quality of grains is maintained at the Yala harvest this year.

The institute said harvests of 1,916,138 tons are expected for the Yala season this year.

A spokesman from the institute told the Daily Mirror that an increased harvest is expected in this season with the cultivation of barren paddy fields while cultivation of paddy in the North and the East would also contribute to the large harvest. (Yohan Perera)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 4

ajith Cabral Tuesday, 23 August 2011 06:41 AM

GOOD for farmers if they too can export !

Patta Pal Tuesday, 23 August 2011 07:04 AM

This is a huge problem for the Paddy farmer. The Govt. must give assurance that they will buy rice at the guaranteed min price of Rs28 per kg but small farmers are still forced to sell at the point of threshing for much less as low as Rs20 due to the fact that they cannot afford to ensure the paddy is dry and also have it transported to the purchasing centers.

Those farmers despite the subsidized fertilizer therefore are producing at a loss!!!

TMA Tuesday, 23 August 2011 07:49 AM

Good. Now what do we eat with rice

tablet Tuesday, 23 August 2011 09:23 AM

helicopters

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Paddy prices decline

Comments - 4

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

New Visa procedure implemented

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Foreign powers intensify surveillance on Presidential elections as strategic interests take centre stage

New uterine loop for monkey birth control

Sajith avoids reception hosted for Iranian President

Do not be afraid to use weapons, Minister Alles tells police

SLAS appoints independent committee for investigation

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings