Yala paddy procurement underway as govt. sets 39,500 MT target

The government purchased 25 metric tonnes of paddy worth approximately Rs. 3 million on the first day of the Yala season paddy purchasing programme, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated.Speaking during the weekly Cabinet media briefing held at the Department of Government Information today (14), Minister Jayatissa said the paddy purchasing process commenced yesterday (13), with the Paddy Marketing Board carrying out purchases through 148 storage facilities.He said the government expects to purchase a total of 39,500 metric tonnes of paddy during the programme and is currently purchasing up to 2,500 kilograms from each farmer.Minister Jayatissa said a decision on whether the quantity purchased from each farmer should be increased or reduced would be made based on developments during the purchasing process.He added that if the storage capacity available with the Paddy Marketing Board is insufficient, the government will obtain private sector storage facilities on a temporary basis to store the purchased paddy.