Veggies rot and livelihoods are lost while Govt. has other priorities
The front page picture of a farmer from Jaffna seated beside his unsold harvest of potatoes, appearing in the Sunday Times of March 4, speaks louder than words on behalf of all the farmers in the country. It is precisely for this reason that it was published. But the question is whether anyone has taken notice of it.
This is the plight of not only potato farmers, but also vegetable and paddy farmers, as reported in the newspapers. And it is a plight faced by them every year, since the time of Independence with no real solution in sight. On the other hand, those who buy the produce cheaply during such times have built huge business empires and continue to expand them.
There was a time when the government maintained huge rice mills at Chenkaladi and Kachchigala, but these exist no more and the business is in private hands. In the case of produce such as potatoes and Bombay onions, the government levies taxes on imports, but this does not seem to have the desired effect, because imports have flooded the market by the time taxes are imposed. In the case of vegetables they are simply allowed to perish or thrown to garbage dumps.
In addition there are reports regularly about damage to person and property from elephants, lack of proper roads and bridges, lack of transport etc. in rural areas.
These are issues with which the government should be seriously concerned and prompt action is required to help the people.
Instead, politicians in power have their own priorities. President Rajapaksa developed the Hambantota district. President Sirisena is developing the Polonnaruwa district. The PM has no such phobia but his projects are still in the clouds and there is very little to show for the past three years.
It is time for the government to reflect on the needs of the people and devise mechanisms to alleviate their suffering.
K.S.
Via email