AMPARA FARMERS REAP BUMPER HARVEST OF TURMERIC

Farmers in the Ampara District said they had a bumper harvest of turmeric and that it brought a large income when compared to other crops. They pointed out that they had a favourable market for turmeric due to the prevailing shortage and pointed out that the increasing demand for turmeric in the market had shot up to Rs.380 per kilo of consumable turmeric and to Rs.400 per kilo of seed turmeric.

Ampara District Secretary D.L.M. Bandaranayaka said that the Namaloya and Uhana divisions were the main turmeric producing areas in the district where more than 1,000 acres of turmeric had been cultivated this year.

He said the turmeric cultivation had brought a handsome income to the farmers and that they expressed satisfaction about their profits. The District Secretary refuted media reports that the turmeric cultivators were facing hardship for want of a conducive market for their produce.

However, President of the Organisation to Protect the Rights of Farmers in the Ampara District M.a.herath said the Irrigation Department’s decision to release water for paddy cultivation resulted in the early harvesting of turmeric and that the farmers faced a problem in finding a favourable market.

The farmer organisation representative pointed out that the closure of private sector business establishments for the New Year holidays led to that situation and that it was with great difficulty the farmers were able to clear their stocks. He said several business establishments were yet to pay for the stocks purchased.