PMB purchases over 11,000 MTs of Yala harvest

Irangika Range

The Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) has purchased over 11,000 metric tons of paddy from the Yala harvest so far , at a cost of Rs. 300 million.

Cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando told the Daily News that the highest paddy harvest of 7,154 metric tons for the Yala season has been obtained from the Ampara district.

The quantity of paddy purchased from the Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts was 65 metric tonnes, 1,302 metric tones and 758 metric tonnes respectively.

The minister said following guaranteed prices offered by the Board, the private sector has also started purchasing paddy at competitive prices. He said it is the objective of the PMB to provide a reasonable price for the farmers and maintain affordable prices in the market.

"The government's paddy purchasing programme is being carried out successfully. The PMB is engaged in buying standard paddy produced by farmers throughout the country despite efforts made by the Opposition to sabotage the programme by misleading farmers," he said. He said sufficient storage facilities are available.

Arrangements have been made to purchase paddy produced by farmers through Co-operatives directly under the supervision of District Secretariats.

"The PMB will purchase any quantity of paddy, which meets basic standards from farmers. It will purchase quality paddy which has a moisture rate of less than 14 percent," the minister noted.