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Parliament Sectoral Oversight Committee makes recommendations on fertiliser
View(s):A Parliament Sectoral Oversight Committee has recommended collecting the results of field research on new fertiliser products manufactured by different companies after studies found that at least 60-70 percent of urea (nitrogen) fertiliser is lost in paddy cultivation in the country.
In its report titled “Policy Recommendations to Address the Issues Pertaining to Fertiliser Application Program for Agricultural crops in Sri Lanka”, the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Food Security and Agriculture stated, “Potassium (MOP) fertiliser is also lost. The main reason for this is the depletion of soil organic matter in conventional, chemical fertiliser-based agriculture.” The report noted that maintaining soil fertility is important to maintain soil organic matter along with the fertiliser nutrient retention, efficient nutrient recycling, and disease and pest control, all of which contribute to sustainability of agriculture.
It was also recommended by the Director-General of the Agriculture Department (DoA), if any product has not been extensively tested in the farmers’ fields in different agroclimatic zones, it is important to conduct research to investigate the effects of the products on crop yield and seed quality, pests, weeds and diseases, and soil quality (especially, soil N, P and K nutrient pool dynamics at least for about four seasons, micronutrients etc) in the different districts.
The fertilization programme of the country will have to be revised accordingly, with the incorporation of those organic and biofertilisers, and the new recommendations will have to be developed by the DOA, the report said.
It said the imports of chemical fertilisers can be decreased gradually, while increasing organic and biofertilisers by encouraging local, eco-friendly fertiliser manufacturers.
It is important to create the necessary environment to take the new fertiliser products forward in order to minimize chemical fertiliser imports to the country, the report added.
Another recommendation was that, it is essential to strengthen the capabilities of the Research and Training Centre of the DOA responsible for conducting research and training in the use of organic and biofertiliser, in order to increase the knowledge of organic and biofertiliser manufacturers to produce high quality products.
It said the DOA should coordinate to conduct adequate research trials to confirm the quality of the products before the registration of the local fertiliser producers by the National Fertiliser Secretariat.
The Committee also said that local fertiliser manufacturers producing good quality products with the farmers’ acceptance have to be protected; and market avenues have to be ensured to sustain the local fertiliser industry; and the Government Fertiliser Subsidy Program that is implemented only for imported chemical fertilisers must also be extended to the organic and biofertilisers.
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