Government Launches Rs. 500 Million Paddy Dryer Project to Strengthen Cooperatives and Support Farmers

The government has launched a Rs. 500 million programme to provide 50 modern paddy-drying machines to cooperative societies across the country, aiming to reduce post-harvest losses, improve farmers' income and strengthen the cooperative sector.

The initiative was officially launched on November 6 at a workshop held at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute, under the patronage of Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe.

Deputy Minister of Cooperative Development Upali Samarasinghe, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development R. M. Jayawardena, Ministry Secretary K. A. Wimalenthiraja and Commissioner of Cooperative Development and Registrar of Cooperative Societies Tharani Kumaradasa were among those present.

The programme was introduced following complaints raised by farmers during pre-budget discussions in 2025 regarding the lack of fair prices for their paddy harvests. Acting on the instructions of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Ministry took steps to implement the initiative.

Under the programme, 50 modern paddy dryers, each valued at approximately Rs. 10 million, will be distributed to selected cooperative societies. Each machine has the capacity to dry approximately 20 metric tonnes of paddy per day.

The machines are expected to be operational from the current Maha cultivation season. Provincial Cooperative Commissioners and beneficiary cooperative societies are being briefed on the implementation process.

The selection process has also been revised, moving away from the previous practice of allocating resources based on political connections. Cooperative societies must now demonstrate operational capacity and submit a proper project proposal to qualify for the equipment.

The initiative is expected to help farmers overcome difficulties caused by rainy weather during the paddy-drying process while reducing the dangerous practice of drying paddy along public roads.

It will also enable farmers to sell their harvest directly to cooperative societies at better prices without depending on intermediaries.

Government Urges Cooperatives to Make Effective Use of Equipment

Deputy Minister of Cooperative Development Upali Samarasinghe said a substantial amount of money had been allocated through the budget to support cooperative societies, stressing that public funds must not be wasted.

He noted that the initiative could help address several major challenges faced by the cooperative sector and urged beneficiary societies to use the machines effectively to strengthen their businesses rather than leaving the equipment idle.

Deputy Minister R. M. Jayawardena said agriculture and the cooperative movement were closely connected, adding that the government was committed to taking all possible measures to strengthen the cooperative sector.

Eligibility Criteria for Paddy Dryer Distribution

Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe explained that the machines would operate under the cooperative system and that selected societies would need to have suitable land and access to electricity.

He said priority would be given to cooperative societies with the necessary facilities, including paddy mills and storage facilities. New paddy mills are also expected to be established in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, creating additional opportunities for farmers to sell their harvest.

Although there are more than 300 cooperative societies, the Minister noted that not all have the facilities required to operate the machinery. Therefore, distribution would be based on suitability and operational capacity.

He further stated that societies which had previously received similar machinery and equipment would not be eligible for this particular programme, as the current initiative was intended to benefit cooperatives that had not received such assistance before.

The Minister said the Rs. 500 million project would strengthen cooperative businesses while providing greater convenience and support to farming communities.

He also explained that a machine with a capacity to dry 5,000 kilograms of paddy within eight hours would be provided under the relevant arrangements, highlighting the potential benefits of the project to farmers and the cooperative sector.