PMB to open 100 paddy storages for Yala Season

Paddy Marketing Board Chairman Buddhika Iddamalgoda said the Board plans to open 100 paddy storage facilities as needed for purchasing paddy during the Yala Season.

He stated that 32 paddy warehouses have already been opened in the districts where harvesting has been completed. The Chairman also emphasized that the Paddy Marketing Board expects farmers to sell more Samba and Keeri Samba varieties this season. In June, Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera presented a Cabinet paper requesting Rs.2 billion to the Paddy Marketing Board for paddy purchasing this Yala Season.

As the first phase, the Cabinet, chaired by the President, approved the release of Rs.500 million on August 26. Accordingly, the Paddy Marketing Board commenced purchasing paddy on 27.

Chairman Iddamalgoda highlighted that while the current market price for Keeri Samba rice has dropped to around Rs.105-110, the government will purchase Keeri Samba stocks at the maximum controlled price of Rs.130.

He further noted that Nadu rice is currently fetching a higher price in the market, with private sector buyers purchasing it at Rs.120. Therefore, he expressed doubt that farmers would sell their stocks to the Paddy Marketing Board at the government-controlled price.

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