Big onion farmers in a quandary

Stanley Seneviratne Kurunegala north group corr.

Big onion farmers in the Neelabimma Colony, Saliya Wewa are in a quandary as they yielded a poor harvest, farmers said.

A pest reported to have attacked the onion plants leading produce to rot. All remedial measures have failed, the farmers fearing the pest may spread widely, said.

According to the agriculture office in the area, the cultivation covers over 100 acres and the major part of this area is affected by the pest. The next harvest is only a month away and farmers fearing that the pest might spread, have decided to sell the leaves before the entire cultivation perishes.

Many farmers in the area complained that their hopes of a good harvest were shattered and now they have to be satisfied by selling only the leaves. The farmers also fear that they would not be able to cover their initial costs invested with much hope. When Area Agricultural Adviser W. R. C. Weerakkody was contacted, he said if the drought situation persists, the fungus might disappear.