The National Organizer of the Farmers’ Struggle Movement, Wimal Wattuhewa, has raised concerns over the government’s failure to set a guaranteed price for paddy, allowing mill owners to exploit farmers by purchasing paddy at arbitrary rates.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Frontline Socialist Party headquarters in Nugegoda, Wattuhewa emphasized that the government’s allocated Rs. 500 million for paddy procurement is insufficient to cover even four days’ worth of the country’s rice consumption.
He noted that paddy harvesting has commenced in several districts, including Ampara, Batticaloa, Monaragala, Trincomalee, and Hambantota. However, without a regulated price, farmers are suffering losses as mill owners dictate prices to their advantage.
“The government has not yet set a guaranteed price for paddy, and mill owners are taking advantage of this situation. The President recently stated that Rs. 500 million has been allocated to buy paddy, but that amount isn’t even enough to meet the country’s rice requirement for four days,” Wattuhewa said.
He also highlighted additional challenges faced by farmers, including severe crop damage caused by recent rains. As uncertainty looms over the paddy procurement process, farmers are urging the government to take immediate action to regulate prices and ensure fair compensation for their harvests.
