Government to allocate Rs 12 Bn to buy fertilizer for next 'Maha' season

The Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera said that the government has decided to allocate 12,000 million rupees for the purchase of fertilizer during this cultivation season, and that money will be given at the rate of 15,000 rupees per hectare and the money will be directed to the farmers' accounts.

He said that this decision was taken yesterday after holding discussion with the Presidents of the Ceylon National Farmers Organization representing 25 districts, at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agricultural Research and Training Institute. The farmers explained the problems faced by the farmers at present.

The Minister told the farmers that the government would give Subsidy for Rs15, 000 for the purchase of fertilizer for one hectare of paddy cultivation, and with that amount, the farmers will be allowed to buy chemical fertilizers or organic fertilizers according to their choice.

He clarified the current situation regarding fertilizers and mentioned that the government already has the required amount of MOP fertilizer and Urea fertilizer, and the TSP fertilizer is to be supplied by the private sector.

“A bundle of urea fertilizer will be provided by the public sector fertilizer companies for the amount of 9000 rupees and the private sector has also agreed to provide urea fertilizer to the farmers at the same price.”

The farmer representatives who expressed their opinions said that the maximum price should be given for paddy and that the farmers do not need subsidies.

Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that the government allocated an amount of 12,000 million rupees as fertilizer subsidy taking into account the current financial crisis in the country, and if it is possible to provide more money, steps will be taken.