July 13, Colombo (LNW): The Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) has commenced purchasing paddy from farmers for the 2026 Yala cultivation season, with procurement operations beginning in key harvesting areas across the country.
PMB Chairman Manjula Pinnalanda said collection centres have been activated in regions where harvesting is currently at its peak, allowing farmers to sell their produce without delay. Initial purchases will focus on the Northern, Eastern and Ampara districts, where the Yala harvest is now being gathered on a large scale.
The Board has reaffirmed the guaranteed purchasing prices announced for the season, offering Rs. 120 per kilogramme for Nadu paddy, Rs. 130 per kilogramme for Samba and Rs. 140 per kilogramme for Keeri Samba. The pricing mechanism is intended to provide growers with a stable return while safeguarding them from sharp market fluctuations.
To facilitate the programme, the PMB has made arrangements to procure paddy through a network of 143 storage facilities nationwide. The Government has allocated Rs. 6 billion for the purchasing initiative, while a further Rs. 10 billion has been secured through an overdraft credit facility to ensure sufficient funds are available throughout the procurement period.
Officials said the programme is also expected to benefit small and medium-sized rice mill owners by improving access to paddy stocks, while the Department of Agrarian Development will supervise procurement activities to ensure the process is carried out efficiently and transparently.
