Farmers are up in arms against the Government’s decision to import ginger from China.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, All Ceylon Farmers’ Federation President Namal Karunaratne expressed concern regarding the Government’s decision to import over 3,000 MT of ginger from China.
According to Karunaratne, this move was approved by the Cabinet with the support of the Ministers of Agriculture and Trade.
Karunaratne said: “Local farmers had cultivated a significant amount of ginger, with 1 kg of ginger sold for around Rs. 2,000, which was initially satisfactory. However, with the recent move, farmers have been rendered helpless due to their inability to sell their harvest.
“Consumers do not purchase this ginger, and therefore, its retail price has decreased.”
Expressing his frustration, Karunaratne questioned the rationale behind importing ginger at the peak of the local harvest.
“The Government should have waited until the farmers’ produce was released into the market before considering imports. It’s unreasonable to claim a scarcity when the crops are ready for harvest,” he argued.
He further revealed that farmers had gathered in Dambulla and protested against this move.
The Cabinet recently approved the importation of 3,000 MT of raw ginger over the next three months. This decision, made during the 15 July Cabinet meeting, follows a joint proposal by the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries and the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security.
The Cabinet also instructed the Secretaries of these ministries to explore ways to reduce ginger prices for consumers by boosting local production and to report back with recommendations.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Agriculture Media Director W.M.D. Wanninayake acknowledged that there was a scarcity of ginger in the market.
“There was a scarcity of ginger seeds resulting in a mismatch between ginger cultivation and local requirements. Farmers are requesting that their limited harvest be sold at a higher price, which will lead to 1 kg of ginger being priced at Rs. 6,000.”