Sri Lankan Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne declared in Parliament that the government is to purchase all stocks of potatoes currently being held by farmers.
Jayaratne made the announcement, stating that the Sri Lankan cabinet had approved the purchase of all remaining potato stock at a price of Rs. 80 per kilo.
The move comes as Sri Lanka banned the import of potatoes earlier this week in a bid to protect local farmers.
Jayaratne also said that all district secretaries and government agents were instructed to continue with a fertiliser subsidy for the farmers, provide agriculture loans at 7% relief interest and to supply locally produced seeds at concessionary prices.
See more here.
Also see our earlier posts:
Sri Lanka bans import of potatoes (09 September 2014)
Vendors who hoard rice face ‘stern action’ warns government
(30 August 2014)
Minister urges workers to eat rice flour as wheat prices rise (17 August 2014)
‘Banning its roti and eating it too’ (11 January 2012)
Government’s plan to ban wheat will affect Tamils – UNP MP (09 Dec 2011)
SL Prime Minister calls for wheat and fruit import ban (07 Dec 2011)
44 million extremely poor suffer as food prices soar (19 Feb 2011)
Food for thought (04 Nov 2010)
Sri Lanka wages war on ‘wheat terror’ (10 November 2010)