PRIVATE TRADERS SWOOP ON HAPLESS FARMERS
Farmer organisations expressed concern about the prevailing crisis over the government’s paddy purchasing scheme in the Southern Province. Members of the organizations said that although the government claimed to have implemented a scheme to purchase paddy at the guaranteed price of Rs.35
The farmers complained that private traders taking advantage of the situation were purchasing paddy for varying prices lower than Rs.26 a kilo
a kilo the relevant state institutions were inactive in purchasing paddy leaving farmers to approach private traders to sell paddy. The farmers complained that private traders taking advantage of the situation were purchasing paddy for varying prices lower than Rs.26 a kilo.
Farmer organisations were of the opinion that the government should work out a mechanism to purchase paddy at the guaranteed price through district secretaries. In this connection, Ravindra Hewavitharana, the government agent of Galle said he would pursue the issue with the authorities and decide on implementing a scheme to eliminate the difficulties farmers are being confronted in selling paddy.