Cargills purchases excess pumpkin harvest in Mahawilachchiya

LAUNCHED TO SUPPORT FARMERS STRUGGLING TO SELL SURPLUS PRODUCE

With pumpkin farmers grappling with an oversupply this season, Cargills PLC said it had launched a timely initiative to purchase the excess harvest at fair prices, providing much-needed relief to smallholder farmers.

The purchase of pumpkins began on Tuesday (August 5) in Mahawilachchiya, Anuradhapura, one of the areas hardest hit by the surplus. The situation had also become a growing concern for the government, one that found a hopeful turning point through the timely intervention of the private sector. Farmers in the region have struggled to sell their produce at reasonable prices this season, with the cost of transporting goods to major markets like Dambulla proving prohibitively expensive and further eating into their profits. Recognising the urgent need, Cargills, known for its longstanding commitment to uplifting local agriculture, began buying pumpkins directly from smallholder farmers.

By doing so, the company has eliminated the role of middlemen, ensuring farmers receive a fair price that would otherwise be unattainable in the current market. “The issue arose mainly because there was no stable market price for our produce. It reached a point where farmers had no choice but to consider discarding their harvest. But Cargills stepped in, spoke to us, and decided to purchase the pumpkins directly from the farm at a rate above the market price. It may be a loss for them, but they still came forward to support us,” a farmer from the area stated. “Starting on Tuesday (August 5) and over the next few days, we will be purchasing pumpkins from farmers in this area who have been unable to sell their produce.

These pumpkins will be made available to consumers through a special promotional programme at all our outlets. We encourage our loyal customers to visit us and support these farmers by purchasing pumpkins,” a Cargills representative urged. Thanks to this effort, smallholder farmers in rural areas gain access to Cargills’ extensive retail network of over 546 Food City outlets across the country. This not only provides farmers with a stable and far-reaching market, but also benefits consumers, who can now purchase high-quality, fresh, locally grown pumpkins at affordable prices. This was coordinated through the Cargills Fresh Produce Collection Centre in Thambuththegama, allowing for efficient collection and distribution of the harvest.