Farmers struggle as lime prices surge in Sri Lanka

In Anuradhapura District, farmers specializing in lime cultivation find themselves caught in a distressing situation, with the absence of a lucrative market for their produce. Meanwhile, urban centers witness a dramatic spike in lime prices, attributable to the exploitative practices of middlemen.

Speaking to the media following an event at the Thalawa Divisional Secretariat, Asela Sampath from the National Consumers’ Organisation shed light on the plight of these farmers, revealing their exploitation at the hands of middlemen who offer abysmally low prices for their lime. Despite a wholesale purchase rate of Rs. 50 per kilo in Anuradhapura, lime commands a staggering Rs. 2,000 per kilo in urban markets, leaving farmers hesitant to harvest their yield to avert heavy losses.

This predicament extends beyond lime to other agricultural staples, such as ginger, which also face dismal market conditions despite high demand. Sampath stressed the urgent need for strategies to preserve surplus produce during peak harvest seasons, ensuring a stable supply for off-season markets.

Furthermore, mango farmers in Thambuttegama Economic Centre shared similar grievances, with middlemen purchasing their harvest at a fraction of the market price, only to resell chemically-treated mangoes at exorbitant rates ranging from Rs. 500 to Rs. 600 per kilo in towns.

Amidst these challenges, farmers continue to bring cartloads of mangoes to market, only to receive Rs. 150 per kilo from middlemen, further exacerbating their financial struggles.