Special Procurement Drive Begins in NuwaraEliya to Provide Relief for Potato Farmers

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A special programme to purchase locally harvested potatoes will commence today.

The initiative aims to provide an immediate solution to the difficulties in selling the produce by potato farmers.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development stated potatoes will be purchased at a guaranteed price of Rs. 220 per kilogram.

The purchasing process will take place at the All Island Agriculture Co-operative Society Ltd. in Blackpool.

The Ministry said the potatoes purchased under the programme will be supplied to consumers at concessionary prices through Lanka Sathosa.

The maximum quantity to be purchased from a single farmer has been limited to 1,000kg.

The Ministry further stated that both government and private sector retail networks will engage in the programme.