COLOMBO (News1st): The Agriculture Ministry has introduced a certified price at which 16 types of crops would be purchased by the government with effect from April 23.

Farmers in the country have been hit by a plethora of issues ranging from the lack of fertilizer to the inability to sell produce amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The rates set out by the ministry include Rs 650 for dried chillies, Rs 350 for garlic, Rs 250 for kollu (horse gram), Rs 220 for black gram, cowpea, groundnut, Rs 200 for green gram and gingerly.

Among other vegetables, the certified prices are Rs Rs 110 for red onion, Rs 100 for potatoes and big onion.

The certified rates for the other crops are as follows ;

• Maize Rs 50
• Soybean Rs 125
• Finger Millet Rs 175
• Turmeric Rs 80
• Ginger Rs 125

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