As the highest-ever Yala paddy harvest in the history of the Northern Province has been recorded for the first time, Northern Province Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan instructed that paddy purchasing mechanisms be expedited to provide immediate solutions to the difficulties faced by farmers in marketing their produce. In accordance with the new circular issued by the Treasury, he instructed that paddy purchasing be carried out rapidly through multipurpose cooperative societies and small and medium-scale rice mill owners on an interest-free loan basis.
A special discussion on Yala paddy purchasing in the Northern Province was held yesterday – on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, at the Northern Province Governor’s Secretariat under the chairmanship of the Hon. Governor. The current situation regarding the marketing of farmers’ paddy, purchasing through the Paddy Marketing Board, and the implementation of the new purchasing mechanism introduced by the government were discussed in detail at this meeting.
It was stated at the meeting that the Northern Province recorded a paddy harvest of 96,456 metric tonnes in the 2024 Yala season, 129,083 metric tonnes in the 2025 Yala season, and 156,326 metric tonnes in the 2026 Yala season. Compared with the previous two years, this significantly increased harvest during this Yala season demonstrates the progress made in the agricultural production capacity of the Northern Province.
However, it was pointed out at the discussion that, while a higher-than-expected harvest has been obtained, the paddy purchasing carried out at the price fixed by the Paddy Marketing Board has largely been completed, and a considerable number of farmers are still unable to market their paddy.
In particular, the Paddy Marketing Board stated that there is an opportunity to purchase a further maximum of 200 metric tonnes of paddy in the Kilinochchi District. Following this, the Governor stressed the need to take action to purchase the paddy held by farmers as quickly as possible and to ensure that their income cycle is not disrupted.
Meanwhile, it was stated at the meeting that, in accordance with the new circular issued by the government, arrangements have been made to provide interest-free loans of Rs. 25 million to multipurpose cooperative societies and small and medium-scale rice mill owners, enabling them to purchase paddy at the fixed price. This loan will be provided through District Secretaries and implemented with repayment within eight months.
As this mechanism is expected to create an opportunity to purchase large quantities of paddy from farmers, the Governor instructed that all activities, from the provision of loans to the purchase of paddy, be carried out without delay.
The challenges encountered in implementing this loan scheme were also discussed, and practical solutions to overcome them were examined. The need for the relevant institutions and officials to work in coordination and implement the scheme rapidly was emphasized.
Furthermore, discussions were held regarding the renovation of the Paddy Marketing Board’s Mankulam office and arrangements to provide application forms for paddy purchasing to farmers through Agrarian Service Centres. Positive positions were reached on these matters.
It was also stated at the meeting that, in the future, the Paddy Marketing Board will purchase paddy in bags weighing 50 kilograms and 250 kilograms.
The Hon. Governor noted that ensuring an appropriate market for farmers’ produce and creating an environment in which paddy can be sold at a fair price after harvest are extremely important for the sustainability of the agricultural sector. He also emphasized that, in order to convert the increased paddy harvest into an economic benefit for farmers, the marketing mechanism linked to production must operate at the same pace.
The Chairman and Deputy General Manager of the Paddy Marketing Board participated in the discussion by Zoom (Online). In addition, the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province, the Secretary to the Governor of the Northern Province, the Secretary of the Provincial Ministry of Agriculture, the District Secretaries of Mannar and Kilinochchi, the Provincial Director of Agriculture of the Northern Province, the Additional Director of Provincial Agriculture, Assistant Commissioners of the Department of Agrarian Development, District Directors of Agriculture, the Regional Manager of the Paddy Marketing Board and many other officials participated.
