The attention of the government has been drawn to the prevailing fertilizer shortage in the country, Cabinet spokesperson Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said, adding that the Prime Minister has engaged in discussions with the Treasury to release Rs. 3 billion to overcome a deficit of nearly Rs. 6 billion in pending payments.
“We are acutely aware of the shortage of fertilizer. The Prime Minister has engaged in special discussions over the matter. The Treasury has released Rs. 3 billion out of Rs. 6 to Rs. 9 billion which is pending in payments,” he said. “This will be of some relief to farmers.”
He said that a programme was to be implemented to provide chemical-free and organic fertilizer free for paddy farmers instead of the fertilizer subsidy scheme
Accordingly, the Cabinet memorandum submitted by the Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development Minister will enable the provision of sufficient recommended portions of the three fertilizer categories, namely urea, Triple Super Phosphate (TSP), and Muriate of Potash (MOP) to be provided to farmers who cultivate up to a maximum of two hectares for the cultivation of paddy for the Yala season.
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