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100,000 pumpkins have their day on Green Path
In a move to help pumpkin farmers who are struggling with a bumper harvest, Green Path in Colombo became a colourful venue for a pumpkin festival on Friday.
The aim of the Pumpkin Farmers Festival, organised by Sarvodaya Development Finance and Coexist Foundation, was to draw the public’s attention to the many benefits of this humble vegetable.
An organiser of the event told the Sunday Times that many farmers facing the problem of not being able to get a reasonable price for their produce were even giving them away free of charge. In spite of this piles of pumpkins can still be seen around the country, he said.
In addition to making people aware of the benefits of the vegetable, the festival also aimed at encouraging entrepreneurs to use the pumpkin in innovative ways.
Around 100,000 pumpkins had been brought to the festival that saw around 20 farmers from Ampara, Monaragala and Anuradhapura participating. Some entrepreneurs also presented novel creations using pumpkin.
Leading chef Publis Silva and Ayurvedic physicians also participated in the festival .
