News
‘Unprecedented’ vegetable price drop devastates Kalpitiya farmers
View(s):
Sashika Pushpakumara
Jasmin Thahir
A sharp drop in vegetable prices in the Kalpitiya area has affected farmers there, who claim that the drop is unprecedented.
Accordingly, green chilies have dropped to Rs. 120 per kilogramme while capsicum has been reduced to Rs. 200 per kilo.
The prices of other vegetables too have dropped. Prices per kilogramme were ridge gourd (wetakolu) Rs. 150, radish Rs. 50, brinjals Rs. 250, bitter gourd Rs. 260, ladies’ fingers Rs. 100, beetroot Rs. 50.
Cultivator Sashika Pushpakumara said that while good weather had resulted in a bountiful harvest, the expenses incurred had been high, so farmers are affected by the low prices.
He said however that market prices are higher, and consequently consumers are affected as well.
Another cultivator, Jasmin Thahir, said that one of the reasons for the issue is that all the farmers are cultivating the same crop, and that proper agrarian advice can help the situation.
Pix and Text by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe
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