A loan scheme has been launched for small and medium-scale paddy mill owners and cooperative societies to facilitate the purchase of paddy harvest for the 2025/26 Maha season, effective from yesterday (01).
The Development Finance Department of the Ministry of Finance said the scheme aims to ensure a fair price for paddy farmers by providing financial support for the purchase of the Maha season harvest.
The scheme targets small and medium-scale paddy mill owners and cooperative societies with a maximum daily paddy threshing capacity of 25 metric tons. Applicants must possess a valid business registration certificate issued by a relevant government institution, along with a licence from the Paddy Marketing Board.
Under the loan facility, eligible applicants can obtain loans of up to Rs. 50 million at an annual interest rate of 7 per cent. The loan must be repaid within 180 days.
Government banks including the Bank of Ceylon, People’s Bank and the Regional Development Bank, as well as selected major private banks, will participate in the scheme.
The total loan amount expected to be disbursed for the Maha season under this programme is approximately Rs. 10,000 million. The Ministry said paddy will be purchased at a minimum price announced by the Department of Agriculture to ensure farmers receive a fair return for their harvest.
