The government is considering importing rice based on the country’s requirement, Minister of Trade Wasantha Samarasinghe said.

The Trade Minister noted that 120,000 metric tonnes of substitute rice varieties for samba and keeri samba were imported in April.

The Minister made these remarks while addressing the Advisory Committee on Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development in Parliament, according to the Parliamentary Communications Department.

He said the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) has been involved in purchasing paddy for milling and in the procurement of potatoes.

Minister Samarasinghe further stated that potatoes are being purchased at Rs. 220 per kilogram and will be distributed through SATHOSA outlets.

He added that the CWE has allocated Rs. 1 billion to improve facilities including paddy drying and storage.

Meanwhile, farmers’ representatives voiced concern over government policies, claiming that paddy farmers are facing difficulties.

Anuradhapura District Farmers’ Association Chairman Sunil Rajapaksha said farmers plan to bring protestors to Colombo over what he described as adverse impacts on the agriculture sector.

Several other associations also said farmers are under severe pressure due to rising fuel costs and related issues.