Rs.2,500 m to buy Maha harvest

Uditha KUMARASINGHE

COLOMBO: The Government has allocated Rs.2,500 million to purchase the Maha paddy harvest.

Under the Government’s national paddy purchasing mechanism, arrangements have already been made to purchase the Maha paddy harvest in the Eastern region, Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena told the Daily News yesterday.

The Government has made arrangements to purchase 30,000 Metric tons of paddy stock only from the Eastern region.

The Government intends to commence the paddy purchasing in the Eastern region from February 18, the Minister said.

According to the Minister steps have been taken to purchase a Kilo of paddy at a certified price of Rs.20 to Rs.22. In order to successfully conduct the paddy purchasing activities in the Eastern region, the Government has established 22 paddy stores in the Eastern region.

Arrangements are also being finalised to open another 15 paddy stores in the Ampara district. The Government will also conduct its paddy purchasing in Sammanthurai and Addalahchnai areas in the Eastern region, he said.

“Paddy farmers are in for a bumper Maha season with nearly 2.029 million Metric tons of paddy for harvest.”

The Minister categorically denied that paddy is being purchased in Ampara district to low rates. “Farmers will not face to any injustice under the Government’s paddy purchasing mechanism this time,” the Minister added.