Govt Weighs Curbs on Rice Imports to Boost Paddy Production 🌾

• The Government is considering stricter limits on rice imports and establishing a more formalised system for purchasing domestic paddy production. • The initiative aims to raise paddy output, stabilise prices, and strengthen protection for farmers. • Key policy discussions involved: • Maintaining a fixed purchasing price for paddy to prevent unfair practices. • Reviewing fertiliser subsidy prices against global trends. • The need for upgrading storage and drying facilities. • Officials were directed to provide district-level cost-of-production data to finalise new guaranteed price policies. • The administration plans to support all farmers through consistent policies, addressing a historical lack of mechanisms for other crops compared to paddy. • Urgent requirements were noted for state agencies, including filling key vacancies and addressing shortages of vehicles and equipment.