Govt. paddy purchasing move flopped, farmers not ready to sell produce to PMD

8 February 2025 07:00 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 46 Bookmark

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By Sanath Gamage

Colombo, Feb 08 (Daily Mirror) - Although the storage facilities of the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) remain open for paddy purchases at the maximum support price announced by the government, farmers are reluctant to sell their produce to the state because private traders offer better rates even for paddy with high moisture content.

PMB Regional Manager for Hambantota, D. Indika Upendra, said he had received information that stocks of paddy were being sold to private traders at prices higher than those offered by the government.

The government announced a price of Rs. 120 per kilo for the Nadu variety and Rs. 125 per kilo for the Samba variety, with moisture levels meeting stipulated rates.Meanwhile, farmers in the Ridiyagama scheme and Beregama area said harvesting had commenced and that private traders were offering a farm-gate price of Rs. 120 per kilo despite high moisture content.

They said they were required to dry and transport paddy to the PMB stores themselves. They added that the Rs. 120 price paid at the threshing floor for wet paddy was sufficient.

Meanwhile, farmers are up in arms against the government, demanding an increase in the minimum prices.

Comments - 46

BnW Saturday, 08 February 2025 07:23 AM

Hope the government realises that price control and government involvement in business are not going to work. What government must do is, create policies and regulate as per the laws of the Land.

7 35

FARMER Sunday, 09 February 2025 01:38 AM

MY FATHER WAS A FARMER, I WAS PADDY CULTUVET 2YEAR , THE FIRST YEAR ALMOST LOST. 12 ACR , 2ND YEAR I CULTIVATE ONE ACR SUCCESS , 50 BAG FOR ONE ACR. MY OPINION, FARMERS HAVE RIGHTS TO SAVE 50 BAG ( SACKU ). THIRE PERSONAL USE. FOR ONE YEAR.

0 3

S P Sunday, 09 February 2025 05:14 AM

100% agree with you BnW. We must stop demonising these big millers at least by now. They have invested in technology, made the life easy for the growers by buying paddy without bureaucratic red tape, milled the rice and sold to the market to earn a profit. If the government wants to bring down the prices what they must do is helping the farmers to get a better yield from their limited land (we have an well functioning agricultural research institute and must make full use of it) and increase competition by encouraging more millers to come to the market. We must increase our productivity to match the price of imported rice otherwise we can never win. Apparently this government is very poor in understanding this basic concept. They keep doing the same mistake of ‘price control’ expecting a different result!

2 3

sarath chandra Saturday, 08 February 2025 07:39 AM

Sri Lankan paddy farmers have such poor memories. All these years no paddy was purchased by the Government. Paddy was bought by big mill owners for less than a 100 rupees. ( 80 - 100) Now when the Government is offering 120 - 130 rupees per kilo , that is not sufficient. Just plain non sense.

19 55

Christo255 Saturday, 08 February 2025 10:10 AM

Ultimately it comes down to the promises made the the current government when they were in the opposition even though the current policy of the government is correct. Now the bogus promises have come to bite them back. That's why you should never play politics with people.

7 16

Yohan Saturday, 08 February 2025 11:40 AM

Wrong facts. Previous governments also purchased paddy in past too. Also the price was never below 110 for last few years. Get your facts correct mate. Also the margin kept by rice wholesellers and retailers was not 25 percent. It was a very slight mrgin but these npp crooks made it upto 25 percent saying 2x is the price of rice per kilo taking paddy price as 120. They are helping Dadley their main campaign funder to earn easily. It is the reality.

11 13

Sambo Saturday, 08 February 2025 07:46 AM

These farmers have become a thorn in the flesh. The present government is doing everything to help the farmer and yet they keep grumbling. If it rains rains they grumble, if does not rain they grumble and any other disaster they complain and no end to this. It will be much cheaper for the government to import rice and let the farmers sell their rice to the mafia at lower prices and stop all subsidies.

40 55

GERIATRIC INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX PAYER SINCE 1974/1975. Saturday, 08 February 2025 06:07 PM

As an Income Tax Payer last 51 years, I full agree; Let them get seed paddy/subsidies/fertiliser or whaever from the person to whom they sell Paddy. Do not have a restricted sale price for rice. Let the farmers learn a lesson by Competing...Government to import Rice, Add Rs25 Customs Duty and sell with a Rs.5 profit Margin to the wholesaler. Start Retail Selling at Sathosa outlets at a reasonable price. Let Market Forces deternine prices. Match Over for Rice Mafia!

3 3

Namal W Saturday, 08 February 2025 08:04 AM

The PMB has one lorry according to AKD. So, how can PMB in business. The private sector had 100 of lorries and 20 times efficient than the government. For an example Araliya has spent billions on infrastructure to collect and process paddy. A one lorry government with people who can't think practically is not going to work. The government should work with the private sector to help the destitute. The same story for Sri Lankan airlines. The economic model of AKD is bankrupt as the country. But, it is good enough for the 5 million SLMP/NPP Mee Harak.

17 33

Peter Perera Saturday, 08 February 2025 07:35 PM

The mee Harak will agree with anything what the current government does because of the hatred and revenge they have against other political parties. They are blind and deaf about the consequences.

3 10

Krish Sunday, 09 February 2025 10:25 PM

Seriously dude. There were more than keheliya got more than 900 lakhs as compensation for the damages caused during the aragalaya. You are still defending them ? For what exactly?

0 0

Upulpb Saturday, 08 February 2025 08:19 AM

Government should make sure no free fertiliser or any other benefits are given to tgese farmers.

16 30

Ram P Saturday, 08 February 2025 08:25 AM

What ever the price the government fix the private millers will offer something more and the farmers are likely to sell the paddy to the millers and recieve a higher price. Better to come to an agreement with the farmers before fixing the price

1 20

Dr. Dee esquire Saturday, 08 February 2025 08:25 AM

Ok. Now where are those masters economists gurus who were saying that this is a good program and even made cost breakdown analysis and was already looking forward to eat rice at 180/-? Dilakshan!, all the other NPP laundrymen? Now what? Get the army to purchase and process in their barracks?

15 29

Dilakshan Seneviratne Saturday, 08 February 2025 12:53 PM

I have stopped responding to cheap mudslingers, as it’s a waste of time. There is no MINIMUM price. PMB is buying at a price fixed at Rs 120. So if someone is paying more than that, it’s a WIN for farmers. Proves that those buying can dry and mill wet paddy to sell a kg of rice at Rs 230. Reduced electricity prices also helps a lot. Also, now government knows who is Holding rice stocks. Let’s see what happens. Rice and other short term issues are being smartly fixed.

12 3

DEE AKKA DR DEE AND THE LIKES, YOU ARE ONLY DISPLAYING YOUR IGNORANCE Saturday, 08 February 2025 12:58 PM

DEE DOO LITTLE, THE PRIVATE MILLERS WILL BUY FOR A HIGHER PRICE AS THEIR CONSUMERS ARE OF A DIFFERENT CLASS, WHILE THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD THE HIGHER PRICES FOR OBVIOUS REASONS (SO THERE YOU GO THE EXPLANATION AS TO WHO THE GOVT NEEDS TO STEP IN, ALL GOVTS AROUND THE WORLD DO STEP IN ON PRICES OF COMMODITIES WHEN THE NEED ARISES AND NPP IS NO DIFFERENT. THE FARMERS MOST WITH BIRDS BRAINS THINK THEY CAN HOLLD THE COUNTRY/MAJORITY OF POOR TO RANSOM!!! NOT HAPPENING GET A COURT ORDER AND PUT OTHERS IN TO WORK THE FARMS UNDER AN EMERGENCY ACT IF REQUIRED.

9 4

Dr Tissa Fernando Saturday, 08 February 2025 06:09 PM

@ Dilkushani, oh that is why we are seeing less comments from you. Dilkushani has realised that writing comments to defend the public comments on NPP government jokes is a waste of time. Yes , it is a waste of time because there is no way your comments will change public opinion.

2 4

Dilakshan Seneviratne Sunday, 09 February 2025 10:02 AM

Anyone can put any comment in a democratic country like ours. Our President is upholding the virtues of democracy at the highest level. He is turning out to be a leader par excellence. You can write your joke comments for the next 10 years. Past is gone, done and dusted, we are heading towards prosperity.

3 0

Dr. Dee esquire Saturday, 08 February 2025 09:24 PM

Dilakshan! Comment until your sponsored reload data card expires. Then live on ‘mis call’ till you get another reload! Typical ‘laundry men’

1 5

P K Eran Saturday, 08 February 2025 08:39 AM

That was plan silly, National Pacha Pava.

13 22

Rip Winkle Saturday, 08 February 2025 08:44 AM

Doesn't the government give these farmers subsidies?

4 19

Yohan Saturday, 08 February 2025 08:58 AM

The npp liars made bogus claims when in opposition and also made mega promises at recent election time just to win the election. Now it is upto the farmers to kick these liars and send them home.

26 30

Disgusted Citizen Saturday, 08 February 2025 01:31 PM

Yohan, you think others in previous governments were saints and never lied? Few who escaped the wrath of public are still lieing and howling and wasting the time in parliament, don't you see. At least NPP is uncovering and letting you know how the public tax money is robbed in day-light while you were awake. Example: President fund, 43-MPs claims ( one guy nearly a billion Rupees). It seems you are happy someone to rob you daylight.

9 4

Jude Saturday, 08 February 2025 09:31 AM

Make sure farmers sell paddy at reasonable price. Remember, The farmers claim for compensation from government whenever their crop get destroyed by floods or any reason. So now farmers must sell the paddy to government.

7 26

Supiri Saturday, 08 February 2025 09:32 AM

it’s good enough for farmers to get hugely subsidized fertilizer from the government at the tax payers expense but farmers don’t want to sell their produce to the government which has been made with such subsidies. Everything has been politicized in the past 77 years and it is like a cancer that cannot be cured. We the public are fully behind this Gov as they make such reforms.

9 31

A Supporter of People Who Pay Direct and/or Indiect Taxes Saturday, 08 February 2025 09:41 AM

The Government gives farmers free or subsidized fertilizer, free water and many other benefits and it is tax payers who bear the brunt of the burden. However farmers are not ready sell produce to PMD but they are selling to Rice Mafia. The NPP government must act strongly and tell farmers to get free fertilizer and water and other benefits from Rice Mill Mafia.

7 17

Abd Saturday, 08 February 2025 09:45 AM

If mill owners and opportunistic paddy hoarders (there are many all around the island) willing to buy paddy for higher than fixed rates, government should make sure to take steps to certain the availability of rice in market, even importing rice only through the government channels for lesser than local rice, which is possible if negotiations starting NOW with foreign sellers, and government should supervise rigidly millers and other paddy businessmen,stick to proposed rate and quantity coming to market is reasonable, REMEMBER! If you fail this,you would be a laughing stock of all, and you will loose faith of consumers

4 13

Rip Winkle Saturday, 08 February 2025 09:57 AM

Toughen up, AKD!

7 13

Dr. Dee esquire Saturday, 08 February 2025 12:39 PM

Yes. Torch the paddy fields and put up the heads of the farmers who don’t comply on their gate post.

3 6

Mizaru Saturday, 08 February 2025 10:00 AM

This is the most unreliable and biased news media in Sri Lanka. The government only gave a minimum price and the millers can offer any price what the want. A time comes when their silos are full and the famers and left high and dry with paddy being stocked at home. It is then the government purchase start. This media channel is mouth piece of the daylight bank loots.

6 2

Ranga Saturday, 08 February 2025 10:50 AM

lol SLs farmers are stupid to the core and politicians make it worse obviously. If they are funded by the tax payers they must adhere or cut the subsidiaries

2 2

Namal W Saturday, 08 February 2025 12:10 PM

I think the government knows it cannot purchase and process the paddy, but it is acting as a third force to keep the farmer and the consumer happy.

0 7

G. Gunasekara Saturday, 08 February 2025 07:09 PM

Yes... you have hit the nail on the head... it is near impossible to meet all the requirements of the PMB... the moisture content the black seed count and so on... think about it.. could the employees of the PMB be on the pay roll of the private miller's? Most times its not simply black and white...

0 3

undefined Saturday, 08 February 2025 07:25 PM

Yes... you have hit the nail on the head... from what i hear the PMB can be quite fussy when it comes to buying paddy.. moisture content, black seed count and all kinds of obstacles to the point of questioning if the employees at the PMB as secretly on the private miller's pay roll.... sometimes it's not black and white... also consider the dollar strength when thinking about the importing of rice... it could backfire if the Rp weakens....

0 3

Namal W Saturday, 08 February 2025 12:14 PM

What would happen if the farmers stop growing rice. Some people who talk here big will have to stay on rice queues. Many years of neglect now needs to be fixed.

1 6

Dilshan Manawadu Saturday, 08 February 2025 12:16 PM

Namal Karunarathna where are you.Why don't you open your big mouth on this like in the past.

2 4

Priyan66 Saturday, 08 February 2025 12:58 PM

Government should not to do business as always PMB is a white elephant. Make modern system to work with efficient private sector

2 4

KA Ranawera Saturday, 08 February 2025 02:02 PM

Trim fertilizer subsidies. Charge for water. No low interest loans. Farmers should pay for insurance scheme and no additional compensations will be paid by the government. Have a collective agreement between the state and farmers unions.

2 5

Upali Ajith Saturday, 08 February 2025 05:53 PM

Government has to decide reasonable price for both parties. Other thin is most of the paddy harvest receive from Kurunegala Anuradhapura

0 1

Dr Tissa Fernando Saturday, 08 February 2025 06:36 PM

Again , the NPP government is just doing a media campaign to reinforce their power , nothing else. People like Dilkushani are completely brainwashed to say yes to everything the NPP has been doing.

1 2

Buddhist Saturday, 08 February 2025 06:45 PM

Since the Government is providing free fertilizer to the farmers, there should be laws passed that those farmers who get free fertilizer should only sell to the PMD. The large rice mill owners have to be taught a lesson and the farmers cannot take undue advantage of the government.

3 0

Ima Saturday, 08 February 2025 07:41 PM

Do not depend on farmers or millers to feed majority consumers, make advance orders to foreign suppliers, only through government channels , do not get caught to mill owned tricksters, it’s doubtful your success in collecting paddy by local farmers

3 1

R Navaratnam Saturday, 08 February 2025 08:20 PM

Key for farmers to sell paddy to PMB is to pay the farmers on time. I have written the above few times.

0 3

Sambo Sunday, 09 February 2025 08:24 AM

If the farmers are not ready to sell the paddy to the government paddy board then stop all incentives and subsidized fertilizer to them so that their cry will come to an end.

3 1

Ram Sunday, 09 February 2025 09:17 AM

Let the private mill owners to buy paddy at the price they wish to pay. But government should strictly impose controlled price for rice all the year. Can't controlled the farmers to sell their product for lower price.

1 2

Krish Sunday, 09 February 2025 01:52 PM

Isn't this good ? Now they can sell at a hire price. Now come up with laws where mill owner's cannot hoard rice if there is a shortage in the country. Very simple.

0 0

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