Government Directs Sathosa to Purchase Local Potatoes, Boosting Farmer Support

The Sri Lankan Cabinet has approved a plan for the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) to directly purchase local potatoes from farmers. These potatoes will then be distributed and sold to consumers through Lanka Sathosa outlets. This initiative aims to protect domestic potato farmers by ensuring they receive fair market prices, especially as harvest season begins in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla districts. To further support local agriculture, the government has imposed a special commodity levy of Rs. 80 per kilogram on imported potatoes. Reports indicate that middlemen were previously setting farm gate prices between Rs. 200 and Rs. 220 per kilogram.