The government aims to purchase 39,500 metric tons of paddy during the 2026 Yala cultivation season, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said on Tuesday (14).

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing, Jayatissa said the government’s paddy purchasing programme began on Monday (13), with the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) purchasing 25 metric tons of paddy worth about Rs. 3 million on the first day.

He said the government currently plans to purchase up to 2,500 kilograms of paddy from each farmer, although that quantity may be reviewed as the procurement programme progresses.

Jayatissa said paddy would be purchased through 148 storage facilities across the country.

He added that if the board’s existing storage capacity proves insufficient, the government will temporarily lease private warehouses to store the paddy purchased under the programme. (Newswire)

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