Government purchases potato harvest in Nuwara Eliya

Colombo, May 15 (Daily Mirror) - Farmers in the Nuwara Eliya area have begun handing over their potato harvest to the government under a special purchasing programme introduced to address the marketing difficulties faced by local potato growers.

The programme, launched from May 10, enables farmers to sell their potatoes to the government at a guaranteed price of Rs. 220 per kilogram.

Under the initiative, the Cooperative Agricultural Products Collection Center in the Blackpool area of Nuwara Eliya is purchasing up to 1,000 kilograms of potatoes per farmer each day at the fixed rate.

Despite adverse weather conditions prevailing in the area, farmers have continued to bring their harvest to the collection centre.

Authorities said arrangements are already underway to transport the potato stocks purchased directly from farmers and distribute them to consumers at concessionary prices through the islandwide Lanka Sathosa sales network.

The programme is expected to ensure farmers receive a fair price for their produce without the involvement of intermediaries, while consumers will also have access to quality local potatoes at reasonable prices.