Maha season paddy purchases begin today

Chaminda PERERA

The Government will start the paddy purchasing process for the Maha season from the Ampara district today through the Paddy Marketing Board.

According to Cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando, the government increased the purchasing price of nadu from Rs. 28 for a kilo to Rs. 32 while a kilo of Samba from Rs. 30 to Rs.35 through the 2013 budget.

He said this is the first time that the Board is purchasing paddy from farmers after the certified price for farmers was increased through the 2013 budget.

He said paddy would initially be purchased from the Valachchenai and Akkaraipattu areas today.

The Board would also plans to purchase paddy from Vattakachchi and Ramanathanpuram in the Killinochchi district and Eravur in the Batticloa district.