Paddy harvest of farmers in the Galle District was bought on Saturday in Walahanduwa, Yaggahawilayaya by the Galle District Agrarian Development Department and the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB).
About 1.3 million kilos of paddy were bought from the farmers. Plantation Minister Ramesh Pathirana and Production and Supply of Fertiliser and Regulation of Chemical Fertiliser and Insecticide Use State Minister Mohan P. De Silva initiated the purchase. A Samba kilo is bought at Rs. 52 and a Nadu kilo at Rs. 50. Farmers who cultivated over 1 hectare under the subsidised fertiliser programme must give a portion of their harvest to the PMB.
Galle District Agrarian Development Assistant Commissioner J.W.S. Priyanka said that 33,500 acres have been cultivated with paddy in the Galle District during the Maha season. The PMB is buying paddy from the farmers for the first time through the Agrarian Development Department, he said.
The PMB bought 5,399 kilos of wet paddy from the Yakgahawilayaya on the first day.
Yakgaha Agricultural Research Production Assistant M.P Nirmala coordinated the farmers. Department Assistant Commissioner Hemapala Warusawitana, Agrarian Development Galle District Administrative Officer Nalin Usgodaarachchi, Headquarters Agrarian Development Officer Rohini Susanta, Board Assistant Southern Regional Manager Indika de Silva, Walahanduwa Agrarian Development Divisional Officer S.M Shyamali were present.
