Jaffna farmers also sell produce:

Govt launches paddy purchasing program

by Mohammed Naalir

The Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) has purchased 6,000 metric tons of paddy from various parts of the country. The Government started its Maha season paddy purchasing program last month, PMB Chairman K.B. Jayasinghe said.

One -thousand metric tons of paddy have been purchased from the Northern Province while 3,000 metric tons have been purchased from the Eastern Province, Jayasinghe said.

For the first time, the Government has made arrangements to purchase paddy from Jaffna farmers. The Government made this arrangement, considering the large number of farmers in the district, the PMB Chairman said.The Paddy Marketing Board has taken this decision on a directive from Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister, Johnston Fernando.

Meanwhile, paddy purchasing is taking place successfully in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Mannar, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts, Jayasinghe said.

Paddy should be stored at a humidity below 14 percent.

The PMB strictly follows this regulation. The farmers have also realised the fact and are maintaining the humidity at this level, the Chairman said.

Arrangements have been made to bring the excess paddy to Anuradhapura.

The PMB is ready to purchase any quantity of paddy from farmers if the PMB requirements are met, he said.