A bumper Maha harvest is reported from all paddy cultivation districts throughout the country. In view of this the Paddy Marketing Board commenced paddy purchases from the ampara district yesterday.
The Paddy Marketing Board is purchasing the standard kilo of Samba rice at Rs. 30 and the Nadu variety at Rs. 28 rupees per kilo.
The Paddy Marketing Board purchases paddy with a moisture content of 14 percent only. Minister of Cooperatives and Internal Trade Johnston Fernando addressing a Media Conference yesterday said that paddy with higher moisture content are being sold at low prices in the market. He said that he has asked the Paddy Marketing Board to be very careful in purchasing the paddy since paddy with higher moisture content will result in paddy shoots coming out from it and getting perished soon.
The Minister said that the paddy storage complexes in Potuvil and Akkaraipattu in the Ampara district have been kept open to store paddy purchased from the Ampara district. Paddy purchases have been started in Batticaloa and Kilinochchi districts as well.
The Treasury has allocated Rs. 1000 million for purchase of paddy under the first stage and further allocations are to be made subsequently. Purchases from other districts will commence soon.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
