Sajith Premadasa Criticises Rs. 120 Paddy Price, Calls for National Agricultural Plan

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has criticised the government’s decision to set the guaranteed purchase price of paddy at Rs. 120 per kilogram, arguing that the rate leaves farmers struggling to cover production costs and support their families.

He made these remarks while addressing a farmers’ meeting in Girandurukotte, where he raised concerns about paddy prices, rising cultivation expenses, rice imports and the lack of a comprehensive national agricultural plan.

Premadasa said that, based on figures he attributed to the government, an acre of paddy cultivation producing 2,315 kilograms of Nadu paddy would generate revenue of Rs. 277,800 at Rs. 120 per kilogram. He cited estimated production costs of Rs. 175,940 per acre, leaving approximately Rs. 101,860 before accounting for other potential expenses or income adjustments.

Dividing that amount over six months, he argued, would leave a farmer with an average of around Rs. 17,000 per month from one acre. He questioned whether a family of four could meet its food, healthcare, education and other essential expenses on such an income, even if it cultivated two acres.

Dispute over the promised Rs. 150 guaranteed price

The Opposition Leader also recalled a pledge made by Deputy Minister of Agriculture Namal Karunaratne during the election period to establish a guaranteed paddy price of Rs. 150 per kilogram through legislation.

Premadasa argued that the promised legal guarantee had not been delivered. He also referred to a statement attributed to Minister Lal Kantha in Parliament that producing one kilogram of paddy costs Rs. 137, claiming that the government’s Rs. 120 purchase price leaves farmers with a shortfall of Rs. 17 per kilogram.

He further alleged that wet paddy had been purchased at around Rs. 80 per kilogram and dry paddy at between Rs. 90 and Rs. 100, below the announced guaranteed price.

Concerns over cultivation costs and purchasing arrangements

Premadasa said farmers were struggling to afford fertiliser, seed paddy and agricultural equipment, claiming that the available fertiliser subsidy was insufficient to cover the needs of two acres of cultivation. He also criticised the application of VAT to agricultural equipment.

He questioned the effectiveness of government efforts to purchase paddy through state warehouses, alleging that only around 3% to 5% of the total harvest was being purchased. He also said interest-free loans provided to small and medium-scale mill owners to buy paddy at the guaranteed price had not been implemented effectively.