2026-03-04 / Oral Question: Paddy Marketing Board Storage and Purchasing (Q.3/2026) 2026-03-04
Deputy Minister Karunaratne outlined improvements to fertilizer assistance and crop compensation schemes introduced since the current government took office. On fertilizer support, payments for paddy land have increased from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 50,000 per two hectares, with a new Rs. 30,000 payment introduced for intercrops on paddy lands that were previously uncompensated; he attributed delays in disbursement to the "8960" cyclone and a shortage of approximately 4,000 Agricultural Research and Production Assistants, with recruitment underway to address the shortfall. On compensation, eligibility has been expanded beyond the previous six covered crops to include a broad range of vegetables and fruits, paddy compensation has been raised from Rs. 16,000 to Rs. 60,000 per acre, and vegetable growers now receive Rs. 80,000 per acre where previously no compensation was paid; livestock compensation rates were also detailed. The Deputy Minister assured that funds have been allocated and invited affected farmers who have not yet received due compensation to come forward.
On fertilizer assistance, when we took office, farmers received Rs. 30,000 for two hectares; we now pay Rs. 50,000. For intercrops on paddy lands—previously unpaid—we now pay Rs. 30,000 for two hectares. We acknowledge there were delays, partly due to the “8960” cyclone and a shortage of about 4,000 Agricultural Research and Production Assistants; recruitment is underway to restore capacity.
On compensation, previously only six crops (chilli, soya, big onion, potato, red onion and paddy) were covered. We have expanded eligibility to a wide range of vegetables and fruits—cucumber, bitter gourd, pumpkin, cabbage, banana, pineapple, cabbage (leafy), carrot, leeks, etc. Paddy compensation per acre has been raised from Rs. 16,000 to Rs. 60,000. Vegetable growers, previously receiving nothing, now get Rs. 80,000 per acre. For livestock losses, we pay Rs. 200,000 per head of cattle, Rs. 20,000 per pig, Rs. 20,000 per goat and Rs. 500 per chicken. If any farmer has not received due compensation, please inform us; the necessary funds have been set aside.