The Government began a paddy purchasing drive for the 2009 - 2010 Maha season from the Ampara District, yesterday (Feb. 15).

Under this, over 140,000 MT of paddy are expected to be purchased this season. The farmers will receive Rs.30 for a kilo of Samba paddy while a kilo of Nadu paddy would fetch Rs.28, reported Daily News.

Paddy purchasing units at Addalaichenai and Samanthurai in the Ampara District were kept open for paddy purchase yesterday and other units in the District will be opened in the weeks to follow, the report added.

Purchase of paddy by the Government in other Districts will also begin shortly and these paddy stocks would be kept stored to uphold food safety conditions of the health authorities, the report further said.