Market glut relief: Cargills aids Villachchiya pumpkin growers

For generations, pumpkin farmers in Villachchiya, and surrounding regions, have relied on seasonal harvests to sustain their livelihoods.

- By SANATH NANAYAKKARE

However, this year, an unusually abundant yield has triggered a crisis. With local markets flooded, prices have plummeted, leaving farmers unable to cover even basic production costs. The additional expense of transporting surplus produce to major markets, like Dambulla, has rendered profitability impossible.

Recognising the urgency of the situation, Cargills (Ceylon) PLC - a pioneer in Sri Lanka’s retail and agribusiness sector - swiftly intervened to provide critical relief.

In a direct response to broader calls for private-sector collaboration in addressing agricultural challenges, the company mobilised its resources, visited Villachchiya and bought the excess pumpkin harvest at premium prices, unaffected by the depressed local market rates.