According to the Ministry, the programme has been implemented on the instructions of the President to protect the farmers and to provide relief for big onion farmers. A guaranteed price would encourage the farmers to continue their cultivations. District Secretariat office, Laksathosa and Agrarian Services Department launched the programme in the Matale District.

The Government would purchase a kilogram of big onions for a guaranteed price of 90 rupees. Although the guaranteed price was 60 rupees for a kilogram, it has now been decided to purchase the entire harvest of big onions for a guaranteed price of 90 rupees for a kilogram, on the instructions of the President.

The Government has decided to purchase the total harvest of the big onion farmers after Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon informed the President about the problems of farmers. Purchasing of big onions has been commenced from Pelwehera and Kandalama Paddy Marketing Board stores and Galewela and Devahuwa Agrarian Services Centres.
(ST/KH)