Ministry to tackle soaring veggie prices

Ishara Mudugamuwa

The Agriculture Ministry is drawing up plans to control soaring vegetable prices which it claims is caused by middlemen.

"The increase in the number of middlemen is the main reason for the rise in vegetable prices",

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane said. The Agriculture Ministry has taken measures to launch Govi Saviya " Ratata Aswanu-Gamata Kahawanu " national project this year in association with the Nuwara Eliya District Chamber of Commerce, AGCO Agricultural Development Committee, Bank of Ceylon and Indra Traders.

Through this project the ministry plans to purchase agricultural produce directly from farmers through agriculture entrepreneurs and distribute them in the country. The ministry also plans to create a network to purchase and sell agricultural products to consumers at a fair price.

Presently there is a problem of distributing agriculture produce. A proper method of distributing produce will be introduced under the Govi Saviya Project.

The ministry will select five young entrepreneurs from each divisional secretariat and will train them on profitable agriculture business. The ministry will also give the responsibility to selected trained entrepreneurs to continue the business in a profitable manner.

The ultimate aim of the project is to create a network of 12,000 agriculture entrepreneurs throughout the country. New job opportunities will also be generated through this project.

The Govi Saviya project will be started as a pilot project in Galle and Matara Districts by March this year. The ministry plans to spread the project all over the country.