In the previous seasons, the government purchased only paddy with moisture content of 14%. This time the government will purchase paddy with moisture content up to a maximum of 22% at a lower price.Paddy should be dried to safe moisture content within 24 hours after harvesting to avoid damage and deterioration.
In the past a nadu variety paddy kilogram was purchased at Rs. 38 and a Samba kilogram at Rs. 41. However, this time all varieties will be purchased at Rs. 50 per kilogram.The government will purchase the paddy in two ways to facilitate the farmers to supply the paddy to the government.
(A) The Paddy Marketing Board will purchase paddy with a maximum moisture content of 14% at Rs. 50 per kilogram of paddy.
(B) The government has taken measures to procure paddy with moisture for the first time through the Divisional Secretaries, Small and medium scale millers and Co-operative Societies under the direction of the District Secretaries. Accordingly, a kilogram of paddy with moisture content exceeding 14% but less than 22% will be purchased at Rs. 44.
The Treasury has already provided Rs.3.830 billion to the Paddy Marketing Board and District Secretaries for the initial step of implementing this program.Also the storage facilities at Paddy Marketing Board stores, and stores owned by the Food Commissioner's Department and other government institutions as well as the storage facilities owned by the small and medium scale rice mill owners have been prepared.
According to the Department of Agriculture, paddy production forecast based on the reported sown extent as at end November 2019 is 2.40 million metric tons accounting for crop losses and would be sufficient for more than seven months.