Onion farmers take to the streets of Dambulla

Colombo (News1st) - Farmers producing seeds for big onions and onion farmers in the Matale district, staged a protest at the center of the Dambulla town today. The demonstration was staged calling on the government to keep their promise of providing cash reliefs to farmers producing seeds for big onions. As a part of a seed development project which commenced during the previous season, the government had pledged to reimburse farmers producing seeds for big onions Rs 4500, exactly half the cost of what is incurred to manufacture a kilogram of big onion seeds. While manufacturers say that a decision during a district development meeting had already been taken to ensure the farmers receive their funds, farmers say that the government refrains from providing such funds by presenting various excuses. More than 1700 farmers in several areas, including the Matale and Anuradhapura districts, are currently facing this issue. The farmers who participated in the protest today handed over a letter to the Provincial Agriculture Department. Protesters dispersed after a promise was made to provide a solution by the 15th of this month.