Govt. to buy unsold fruits, vegetables from farmers affected by COVID restrictions

• Produce to be distributed for use of COVID treatment centres, Government hospitals, Tri-Forces, displaced camps and poor families

The Government has decided to buy from farmers all fruits and vegetables unsold due to travel restrictions during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Such purchased produce will be channelled for the use of COVID treatment centres, all Government hospitals, Tri-Forces, Displaced Camps and families who have lost their livelihoods until the travel restrictions are lifted.

The Government said large, small and medium scale farmers were facing a crisis due to the destruction of their produce especially vegetables and fruits in view of the inability to transport and trade following COVID-19 third wave-induced travel restrictions. At the same time, scarcity of vegetables and fruits has forced consumers to pay higher prices. 

As a solution the Agriculture Ministry had proposed to the Cabinet of Ministers to give approval for the new initiative whereby District Secretaries/Agents of Government will purchase unsold vegetables and fruits according to the prices of the District Price Committee.