During the recent past as the price of B. Onions had reduced the farmers were facing a dire situation and many were giving up onion farming. As a result of the reducing local B. Onion harvest, a large amount of foreign exchange had to be spent on importing B. Onions.

Therefore, the Finance Minister presented the proposal for the increasing of the minimum guaranteed price for B. Onions which was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

In addition, a new programme will be implemented for the improvement of the B. Onion cultivation which would be jointly implemented by the Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development Ministries.

The progress of this programme would be evaluated every four months by the Cabinet. Meanwhile, as a step to protect the consumer, a maximum retail price of Rs. 190 per kilo of B. Onions has been stipulated.