The government has decided to increase import taxes imposed on big onions in order to protect local farmers, Agriculture P. Harrison said.
According to the minister, tax imposed on a kilogram of big onions will be increased from Rs 20 to Rs 40.
“Normally the import tax is increased at the time of harvesting but this time the government has decided to increase the tax before starting the big onion cultivation season in order to prevent importers from importing big onions month before the harvest and storing since the big onions can be stored for three months. As a result of this local big onion farmers would be able to get good price for their produce.” said the Minister.