The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the sale of paddy stocks currently held by the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB), based on a proposal submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation.
The board has accumulated nearly 115,000 metric tonnes of paddy purchased from farmers and stored in its warehouses across the country, according to a statement issued by the Department of Government Information. The government said the move is intended to create storage capacity and generate funds ahead of the upcoming Yala season, when new paddy procurement from farmers will be required.
The sale will be conducted through a formal tender procedure, in line with the Cabinet’s approval.
The decision aims to prevent post-harvest losses and ensure the PMB can absorb the incoming Yala crop, sustaining its guaranteed-price purchasing role for farmers. It follows a series of agriculture-sector measures for the season, including Cabinet approval to import 15,000 tonnes of urea fertiliser for Yala 2026, amid earlier farmer concerns over fertiliser supply.
