Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Veggies trashed and thrown to jumbos



Gunny bags full of vegetables being thrown in corners to rot, wild elephants gorging on discarded vegetables, piles of produce discarded at economic centre garbage dumps – these have been common sights over the past weeks.

A glut in vegetable supply raised hopes of a drastic price drop in cities and towns but, unfortunately, both farmers and retail shoppers have not benefited.

The Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute (HARTI) said the wholesale prices of most varieties have dropped due to increased supplies from Jaffna to markets during the peak Maha season.

All vegetable prices at the Dambulla Economic Centre dropped, with brinjals sold for Rs, 50-60 per kilo, beans for Rs. 70-90/kg, carrots for Rs. 90/kg, cabbage for 15-25/kg, radishes for Rs. 10-15/kg and tomatoes for Rs. 20-25/kg to 25 rupees. Leeks, the only vegetable that saw an increase in price, went for Rs.140-160/kg.

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