President says conversion to organic fertilizer, a progressive step

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today assured that the funds amounting to Rs 80 billion spent for the annual imports of fertiliser will be used for the benefit of farmers.

The President gave this assurance when he met with representatives of farmer associations today (1) at the Presidential Secretariat where he discussed the recent issue of lack of fertiliser among other issues.

He said though, some called the move to stop the import of chemical fertiliser as a plan that would draw back the country, it was a progressive move which is being followed by many of the countries.

He said persons who speak against chemical fertiliser are able to purchase organically grown vegetables and fruits without taking note of the poor farmers who suffer from the use of chemical fertiliser.

The president assured that organically produced fertilizer, insecticides and weedicides will be provided to the farmers adding that local businessmen will be encouraged to produce organic fertiliser.

District Farmers' Representatives on behalf of more than one million farmers islandwide urged the President not to back down from the steps taken to use organic fertilizer. The organisation is made up of 1.1 million farmers, 17,000 farmer organisations and 563 Agrarian Service Centres.