January 22, Colombo (LNW): The Paddy Marketing Board has announced the formation of a dedicated committee tasked with reviewing and potentially amending the certified price of rice in Sri Lanka.
According to the Board, the committee will consist of representatives from a variety of key institutions, including the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute and the Institute of Post Harvest Technology.
The committee’s primary objective is to evaluate the current pricing system applied to paddy cultivation and determine whether adjustments are necessary to reflect market conditions.
After conducting this thorough review, the committee will play a key role in setting the certified prices for rice that will guide purchases of stocks for the upcoming season.
Manjula Pinnalanda, Chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board, emphasised that the goal is to ensure that the certified price of rice aligns with the realities of both the farming community and consumers.
In the previous Yala season, certified prices for various types of rice were set at Rs. 105 per kilogram for Nadu rice, Rs. 115 per kilogram for Samba rice, and Rs. 130 per kilogram for Keeri Samba rice.
In addition to the pricing review, the Board also confirmed that storage facilities for the upcoming Maha season harvest have already been prepared.
With harvest time approaching, the purchase of paddy stocks for the Maha season is set to begin next month, ensuring that the country’s rice supply chain remains stable and secure.
The adjustments made through this committee will be crucial for managing the seasonal fluctuations in supply and demand for rice, a staple food in Sri Lanka.
