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by Ananda Kannangara

The Agricultural Department has granted Rs. 591 million to Farmer organisations and MPCS banks in the rice producing areas to purchase paddy directly from farmers. Accordingly, the farmers in Hambantota, Ampara, Moneragala, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and the Kalmunai districts will get an opportunity to sell paddy at Rs. 13 a kilo.

"We instructed the officials in the respective farmer organisations and the co-operative banks to purchase paddy not less than Rs. 13 a kilo and also not to reduce this amount under any circumstances, Agricultural Development and Livestock Ministry Additional Secretary Danasena Hettiaratchchi told the Daily News.

Mr. Hettiaratchchi also said that the objective of granting such a bigger amount for the first time is to encourage farmers who are producing large quantities of paddy every year and also to protect them from private sector rice mill owners and traders frequently visiting them during harvesting seasons to purchase paddy at low prices.

"Out of the whole amount, Rs. 221 million is utilised for purchasing paddy from farmers in the Polonnaruwa District since the rice production in that area has shown a significant progress every year than other districts".

Mr. Hettiartchchi further said that a special cultivation loan scheme will also be introduced for the benefit of paddy growers islandwide on an interest of 10.5 per cent per annum.

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