LOCAL BIG ONIONS FIRST, THEN IMPORTS, SAYS HARRISON

Importers told to purchase from 10 local farmers to get import permit

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock Development, Irrigation and Fisheries P. Harrison announced that the import of big onions would not be allowed until the produce of local farmers is purchased. Addressing a meeting of Anuradhapura district Agricultural Researchers of Women’s Farmer Organisations, he said every importer of big onions should buy the produce of at

least 10 farmers to get the import permit.

“At present more than 1000 big onion farmers in the country are facing hardships for want of a remunerative market for their produce due to the import of big onion during harvest time.this has been going on under successive governments for a long time. The ministry has introduce a scheme to resolve this issue. Every importer will be required to buy the produce of at least ten farmers to be entitled to the import permit under an agreement between the importers and the farmer organisations. At present the country has about 100 big onion importers and they will be required to enter into this agreement. This decision was taken after a thorough study of the issues affecting the local big onion farmer. Importers violating this requirement will be liable to face legal action. I am hopeful that this scheme would protect the local big onion farmer,” Harrison said.

He further said that this scheme will soon be applicable to the import of potatoes, peanuts and soya as well.