PMB plans to increase supplying 10,000 MT rice to market monthly: Amaraweera

The Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera today instructed to the Paddy Marketing Board  (PMD) officials to supply 10,000 metric tons of rice per month to overcome the shortage that prevails in the market.

The decision was announced during a special discussion held at the PMB Head Office in Colombo, today regarding the supply of rice.

PMD Chairman Neil de Alwis and Deputy Chairman Duminda Priyadarshana were also present at the discussion.

1,500 MT of rice has been supplied to the market and it has been planned to supply 10,000 MT per month to manage the current shortage of rice in the market and the increase in prices. 

The Minister also instructed to use the existing stocks of samba paddy currently held by the PMB to release 5 kg and 10 kg bags to the market immediately.

It was also decided to start a programme to generate solar energy using the roofs of the PMB stores across the Island which currently has a capacity of around 200,000 sq.ft.

It was also discussed at this meeting that the harvesting of paddy during the Yala season has already commenced and action should be taken to submit a Cabinet Memorandum to purchase paddy from farmers. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)