No New Year as paddy prices nose dive

Farmers in Wilgamuwa and Laggala

Despite a good harvest paddy farmers in Wilgamuwa and Laggala said that they were left high and dry as traders and mills bought their paddy at very low prices citing quality as an excuse.

“We are facing severe financial difficulties as the harvest during this season is bought by the traders at a very low price – Nadu rice at 27 to 28 Rupees,” a farmer said.

Hence they said that they would not be able to enjoy the New Year.the farmers blamed that there was no proper mechanism to sell their paddy.

We are facing severe financial difficulties as the harvest during this season is bought by the traders at a very low price – Nadu rice at 27 to 28 Rupees

“There are no facilities to dry the harvest as the paddy is reaped by machines.traders buy the rice at a low price saying that the paddy is not properly dried,” he said.

Due to lack of facilities for drying, farmers dry their paddy strewn on roads or bridges which leave most of the paddy destroyed in the process.

“We cultivate paddy amidst many threats like wild elephants, wild boars and unpredictable climatic conditions but we get a very low price for the produce. This leaves us in severe financial difficulties. Politicians have ignored our problems,” he said.

“Although the Government has set the minimum price of 38 Rupees, these regulations are not properly implemented. When a law is imposed the Government has no ability to implement it,” the farmer said.