Dambulla onion farmers urge import controls to protect local harvest

By Kanchana Kumara 
Ariyadasa - Dambulla

Dambulla onion farmers have expressed concerns that if the import of big onions is not controlled now that the harvest of this year’s local big onions has begun, they will face serious problems, as they have in previous years. The harvest of local big onions cultivated in the Dambulla Wewala Wewa area began about three days ago.
Farmers pointed out that the buying price of a kilo of big onions and the selling price at the Dambulla Economic Centre currently range between 130 and 170 rupees. However, with imported big onions from India and Pakistan being sold at prices between Rs. 120 and 130, farmers are concerned that they are not receiving a fair price for their local produce.

S.A. Ratnapala, a large-scale big onion cultivator from the Galewela area, said he invested 35 million rupees to cultivate 25 acres of big onions this season, relying on government support and a request from the government. He pointed out that to secure a fair price for local big onions, an immediate tax should be imposed on imported big onions, and measures should be taken to control imports.

He emphasised the need for urgent action to prevent fraudulent businessmen from exploiting tax concessions. Ratnapala also added that the high cost of cultivating big onions exceeds Rs. 150 per kilo. He suggested that setting the market price for a kilo of local big onions at a maximum of 250 rupees would help protect both farmers and consumers. He noted that, with consumers paying 600 rupees for a kilo of beans, purchasing onions at Rs. 250 per kilo is reasonable, given that households typically require only a small amount of onions.