The attention of the government has been diverted to the prevailing fertizlier shortage in the country, Cabinet spokesperson and Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said adding that the Prime Minister has engaged with discussions with the Treasury to release Rs. 3 billion to overcome a deficit of nearly Rs.6 billion pending payment.
“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 9 Billion which is pending in payments,” he said. “This will be of some relief to the local farmers.”
He said that a program was to be implemented of providing chemical free and organic fertilizer free of charge for paddy farmers instead of the fertilizer subsidy scheme
Accordingly, the cabinet memorandum submitted by the Minister of Mahaveli, Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development will enable providing sufficient recommended portions of the three fertilizer categories namely Uria, Triple Super Phosphate (T.S.P), and Myuriate Of Potash (M.O.P) to be provided to farmers with up to 02 hectares to the maximum for the cultivation of paddy for the Yala season.