Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera is to submit a Cabinet Paper next week requesting for necessary funds from the Treasury or two State Banks at a reasonable interest rate for the purchase of the paddy harvest through the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB).
In this season, 777,000 hectares of paddy have been cultivated so far. As paddy harvesting is scheduled to begin from the first week of February, 300,000 metric tonnes of paddy from the farmers’ is to be purchased by the Paddy Marketing Board. Under its first phase, the Paddy Marketing Board is ready to purchase 100,000 metric tons of paddy, said PMB Acting chairman Buddhika Iddamalgoda.
However, the amount of money required to purchase paddy in this season will be decided based on the decision taken after the price determination committee which is appointed with the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers.
The PMB chairman also pointed out that at least Rs. 7 billion will be needed for that. The Urea and Fertilizer needed by paddy farmers have been supplied in required quantities to all areas of the country. Therefore, the Department of Agriculture has confirmed that no defects in the quality of the crops have been reported from any region.
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