Govt. to purchase 150,000 metric tons of Yala Season paddy

Tuesday, 5 March 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) has commenced purchasing the Yala Season paddy harvest from farmers in several areas of the country.

The PMB says it expects to purchase 150,000 metric tons of paddy this season, and that the Government has allocated Rs. 6 billion for the program. The PMB will purchase a kilo of Nadu rice at Rs. 38 and a kilo of Samba rice at Rs. 41.

Paddy storage warehouses have been opened in several areas, including Ampara, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kurunegala, and several others in the Northeast.

Paddy Marketing Board Chairman and Attorney at Law Kasthuri Anuradhanayake said that plans are afoot to maintain around 225 stores in the island.

He said that 2,667 metric tons of paddy had already been purchased.

The aim of the Paddy Marketing Board is to maintain the price of paddy in the market and to ensure food security, the Chairman said.