The government has decided to provide 50 modern paddy drying machines to cooperative societies across the country, with each machine capable of drying nearly 10 metric tonnes of paddy per day.
Accordingly, Rs. 500 million has been allocated through decentralised funds to procure the machines, each valued at approximately Rs. 10 million, for active and financially stable cooperative societies.
The Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development said cooperative societies requiring paddy dryers can apply by submitting a project proposal.
According to the ministry, the initiative will enable farmers to sell their harvest to cooperative societies at better prices, while cooperative members will also have convenient access to paddy drying facilities.
The ministry further noted that Sri Lanka recorded a record paddy harvest during the previous Maha cultivation season, while extensive cultivation has also taken place during the ongoing Yala season. As a result, it said there is no likelihood of a rice shortage in the country.
Meanwhile, the government has accelerated the purchase of paddy from farmers at guaranteed prices by reopening warehouses operated by the Paddy Marketing Board and coordinating procurement through Lanka Sathosa and other state institutions.
The ministry said strengthening the government’s paddy purchasing mechanism is expected to promote fair competition in the market, ensure consumers have access to rice at affordable prices, and encourage the private sector to offer fair prices to farmers.