Govt. weighs curbs on rice imports to lift paddy production

THE Government is considering stricter limits on rice imports and a more formalised system for purchasing domestic rice as part of an effort to raise paddy production, stabilise prices and strengthen farmer protection.

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The proposals were discussed at a meeting held this morning at the Presidential Secretariat, where officials reviewed longstanding problems facing paddy growers and began work on a structured plan to address them.

The session was co-chaired by Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha and Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe.