The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake

¶ 01 Control of potato imports during the harvesting season

¶ 02 Mr. Speaker, I bring this Adjournment Motion today:

¶ 03 The upcountry farmers’ main crop — potatoes — has long been their livelihood. In Badulla District — Bandarawela, Haputale, Hali-Ela, Welimada, Uva Paranagama — and in Nuwara Eliya, many farmers cultivate potatoes. Due to high costs for seed potatoes, agrochemicals, and labour, they incur large expenses and often suffer greater losses than paddy farmers when bringing harvests to market.

¶ 04 Therefore, I urge the present Government, as upcountry harvesting begins from March, to ensure justice for farmers by imposing a substantial levy on potatoes imported from March or, alternatively, suspending potato imports for several months.

¶ 05 All engaged in upcountry potato cultivation expect the Government to intervene to deliver justice by taking appropriate measures. I call upon the Government, through the Ministry of Trade, to fulfil these fair expectations.

¶ 06 Upcountry potato farmers are like paddy farmers. A 100 kg bag of seed potatoes costs around Rs. 37,500, imported mainly from Poland. Including agrochemicals, fertilizer, and labour, costs reach about Rs. 130,000 per 100 kg of seed. Previously, a 100 kg seed bag yielded about 20 bags; now, due to issues, it yields only about 10. Harvesting has begun in Welimada; wholesale prices at Welimada and Keppetipola are around Rs. 230 per kg. The issue is that, unlike paddy farmers, potato farmers have not received justice. Welimada and Nuwara Eliya provide about 50% of local production, yet domestic farmers are not fairly treated. Past governments, during harvesting seasons, imposed levies on imports to provide temporary relief.

¶ 07 I expected the Trade Minister or the Agriculture Minister to be present. They were informed of this Adjournment topic, but are absent. I, therefore, request through you, Mr. Speaker, that just as justice is done for paddy farmers, it must be done for vegetable farmers too. Our upcountry potatoes are clean, tasty, and high-quality. If farmers are pushed further down, they will abandon farming — a national misfortune. Upcountry families live by raising a few potato bags. Many in Welimada, Uva Paranagama, Haputale, and Bandarawela helped past governments; they now hope for justice. Currently, Keppetipola Economic Centre prices are Rs. 220–230 per kg. Consumers too deserve fair prices, but to ensure justice to upcountry farmers, imports must be stopped during the season or import taxes significantly raised for three months or so. Past governments provided such relief; we trust this Government will too. Last time, during harvest, the presidential election took place; despite appeals, farmers could not sell properly and did not get justice. Harvesting has started this March; I request the Government — the Trade Minister must act, by imposing levies or suspending imports, to protect domestic farmers while ensuring fairness for consumers.

¶ 08 Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for facilitating this Adjournment Motion.