Adequate paddy storage facilities

The Paddy Marketing Board said that storage facilities have already been provided in paddy producing areas to enable the purchase of paddy at guaranteed price during the current season.

Accordingly, the PMB has made all arrangements to purchase the harvested paddy at Rs. 28 (Naadu) and Rs. 30 (Samba) per kilo in these areas.

The PMB hopes to purchase around 140,000 metric tons of paddy during this 2009/2010 season.

The entire purchasing process will be monitored by the Agrarian Development Department while the Assistant Commissioners attached to the department will receive reports on paddy purchasing in the respective districts.

The government has allocated Rs. 4,000 million to purchase paddy at guaranteed price. The Government has also requested State banks to grant credit facilities to private traders to make paddy purchases to ensure a good stock of paddy during the current season.