Mr. Buddhika Iddamalgoda, the chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board, said that the paddy marketing board was able to purchase 04 million kilograms of paddy by yesterday (04).
Yesterday afternoon, a progress review meeting was held at the Ministry of Agriculture regarding the paddy purchases made by the Paddy Marketing Board.
The discussion was chaired by the Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera, and the minister inquired from the Chairman of PMB regarding the purchase of paddy during Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive season.
Accordingly, the Chairman informed that the Paddy Marketing Board has purchased 04 million kilograms of paddy and that there is sufficient financial provision for the purchase of paddy.
However, the chairman stated that it was decided to temporarily suspend the purchase of paddy from today (05) till the end of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival and he also mentioned that the paddy purchase will resume immediately after the New Year holiday.
During these few days, the purchase of paddy is suspended considering the possible delays in getting the related money from the bank after the farmers have sold the paddy.
About 90 percent of the paddy currently purchased by the Paddy Marketing Board is Red Nadu. He also mentioned that the farmers do not sell Samba and Keeri Samba paddy to the Paddy Marketing Board.
Meanwhile, the Farmers’ Trust Fund gave an amount of 100 million rupees to buy paddy and the minister instructed the chairman to pay the amount back to the Farmers’ Trust Fund immediately. The government has given 500 million rupees for the purchase of paddy. The minister was also informed to spend the money and carry out the purchase activities.
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