(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera says that it has been decided to give the entire amount of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) or the mud fertilizer required by the paddy farmers for the coming season for free of charge.
A ship carrying 36,000 metric tons of TSP is scheduled to reach the port of Colombo on about the 20th of next month. Arrangements have been made to provide this mud fertilizer to the farmers of Sri Lanka free of charge under the financial aid of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
The Minister made these remarks while speaking to the media after a discussion held yesterday (20) with agriculture officials at the Gannoruwa National Agriculture Information and Communication Center regarding the development of agriculture.
The majority of agronomists who have worked in the Department of Agriculture, as well as many university professors, started a joint program from yesterday (20) to prepare the necessary work arrangements for cultivating 13 types of crops including paddy in Sri Lanka.
This stock of fertilizer is to be received from Egypt and as soon as it is received in this country, it is to be distributed all over the island before the start of paddy cultivation in the Yala season.
The Minister said that although Muriate of Potash (MOP) fertilizer, or ‘Bandi Pohora’ was received for the current season, due to the increase in the price, a decrease in the use of the fertilizer by the farmers was observed. Therefore, they will discuss lowering the price of Bandi Pohora in the next season.
Mr. Amaraweera said the Ministry of Finance has given all the financial allocations requested for the purchase of paddy to the district secretaries. If the purchasing activities are efficient, the farmers will be able to get significant income.
The minister further said that since this season is running successfully, there is no need to import rice in the future and if necessary, only basmati rice will be imported.
