Govt. to purchase produce which farmers fail to sell

By Sandun A. Jayasekera 

The government will mediate to purchase the produce that farmers fail to sell under the prevailing situation based on the social benefits scheme implemented by the Presidential Task Force, Director-General of Information Nalaka Kaluwewa said yesterday. 

“The main objective of the scheme is to prevent the involvement of a third party from purchasing and selling vegetables and fruits as both the farmer and consumer become victims of the middlemen. The first phase of this endeavour was successfully completed on April 11 and 12 in Nuwara Eliya, Dambulla and Anuradhapura Districts while the second phase was focused on the Ratnapura and Hambantota Districts in the past few days, purchasing entire stocks of plantain produced by farmers. In other areas too, the government is taking measures to purchase vegetable harvests of farmers without allowing them to go to waste. Therefore, farmers must not panic as the government has notified relevant district secretaries on the matter,” he said.  

Meanwhile, he said the issues faced by people in receiving the relief package should be brought to the notice of district secretaries closest to them or for them to get in touch with the Divisional Secretary in their relevant areas. 
“The government will soon open dedicated economic centres in the country -- which are now remained closed -- thereby giving the opportunity for farmers and consumers to sell and purchase fruits and vegetables as usual,” he said.  

The main objective of the scheme is to prevent the involvement of a third party from purchasing and selling vegetables and fruits as both the farmer and consumer become victims of the middlemen