The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I support the Special Commodity Levy intended to raise duties on imported onions and potatoes during local harvesting seasons so that local producers receive fair prices. In the past, governments have pledged to develop agriculture. Sri Lanka, once renowned for agriculture—especially in the North, East, North-Central and Central Provinces—saw policies after 1977 encourage imports without regard to domestic output, spreading an import culture.

¶ 02 In 1980, the Northern Province contributed 56% of total red onion (shallot) production—Jaffna District alone contributed 45.4%. By 2005 this had fallen significantly, to about 20.6%. Shallot production, once a hallmark of the North, has declined due to erratic economic policies and climate change, pushing farmers into severe economic distress.

¶ 03 There are no insurance schemes or adequate support for shallot production, unlike for some other crops. The Government must ensure protection and marketing support. Middlemen currently extract high margins, undermining farmers. We must shield farmers from exploitative intermediaries, strengthen marketing, and revive agriculture so the country can regain self-sufficiency. With that, I thank you.