Govt. increases minimum guaranteed price of big onions

The Government yesterday increased the minimum guaranteed purchasing price of big onions from Rs. 60 to Rs. 80 with the aim of giving onion farmers a better price for their produce. 

According to a press release by the Finance Ministry, a proposal by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mahinda Rajapaksa to increase the minimum guaranteed price of big onions was approved by the Cabinet last week. The Government also increased the maximum retail price of one kg of big onions to Rs. 195. In addition, a new program to enhance the quality and crop yield of big onions was launched. 

The press release also indicates that the Agriculture Department and the Ministry of Mahawali Affairs and Irrigation will jointly implement a project aimed at increasing the onion crop.