Farmers criticise government's criteria for big onion purchase

Several parties, including farmer organisations, have criticized the criteria introduced by the government for purchasing big onions.

They allege that the government has taken this measure to allow the sale of imported big onions.

Against a backdrop where local big onion farmers are severely distressed due to their inability to sell their harvest at a fair price, a program was launched through Lanka Sathosa to purchase big onions.

When the program commenced at the Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre, several criteria were introduced for the big onions being purchased. These criteria stipulated that the onions must have a diameter between 35mm and 65mm.

Seventeen criteria were presented, including requirements that the onions be uniform in size and quality, with about eight onions per kilogram; that they be fully mature and well-dried; that they be clean with unpeeled skin; and that they have at least two well-dried outer layers.

The purchase price for a kilogram of big onions meeting these criteria is set at Rs. 140/-.

Farmers who came to the designated purchasing point at the Dambulla Economic Centre yesterday raised strong objections to the criteria.

However, officials present there stated that no local big onions had been received at the location since the 10th of last month.

Meanwhile, big onion farmers in areas like Thambuttegama, Thalawa, and Nochchiyagama remain stranded, still unable to sell their harvests.