MAIZE FARMERS SEEK RELIEF

Maize cultivators all over the country are in a difficult situation due to the declining yield, high cost of labour and the increasing prices of seeds. President of the Maize Cultivators Organisation A.T.M. Ekanayake told the media yesterday in Anuradhapura that hundreds of farmers had already abandoned maize cultivation.

He pointed out that the average yield per acre was about 3,500kg but it was now less than 2,000kg.

A packet of seeds has increased to Rs.6,600 which is beyond the reach of most of the farmers. They have now abandoned maize cultivation and switched to other crops

He said the Fall Army Worm pest caused extensive damage to the maize cultivation causing heavy losses to the farmers.

“A packet of seeds has increased to Rs.6,600 which is beyond the reach of most of the farmers. They have now abandoned maize cultivation and switched to other crops. Our organization established about ten years ago has a membership of more than 2,000. They meet the country’s requirement of 04 metric tons of maize per year. However, now they are not in a position to meet this target. Farmers are left to the mercy of the middlemen who purchase bulk stocks of maize for a song and earn heavy profits. The Department of Agriculture has not implemented a scheme to educate the farmers on maize cultivation. The government that ignored the issues affecting the farmers is now preparing to import 150,000 metric tons of maize” He said.

He requested the government to resolve the issues affecting maize cultivation and to provide incentives to the farmers. He pointed out that the seeds should be supplied to the farmers under a subsidy scheme.