(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – The government-owned Ceylon Fertilizer Company introduced two new mixed fertilizers of Mud Fertilizer (Triple Super Phosphate) and Bandi Fertilizer (Muriate of Potash), Monday (21) at the Ceylon Fertilizer Company premises in Hunupitiya, Wattala.
These two new fertilizer mixtures were introduced with the participation of the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera, and at the same time several types of mixed fertilizers available at low prices for coconut, cinnamon and other plantation crops were also introduced.
The Minister of Agriculture, speaking at the event said the government has decided to withdraw from the responsibility of supplying fertilizers from the next Maha season, and that the money required for the purchase of fertilizers will be directly credited to the Farmers’ bank accounts.
The Minister however mentioned that even if the government has withdrawn from the responsibility of supplying fertilizers, private companies will not be allowed to raise the price of fertilizers arbitrarily, and to control the situation, Ceylon Fertilizer Company and Commercial Fertilizer Company will start a program to sell fertilizers at the lowest price through all agrarian service centers.
Also, the farmers can purchase their choice of chemical fertilizers or organic fertilizers with the money provided by the government.
According to the research conducted by the Department of Agriculture, both chemical and organic fertilizers should be used according to the recommendations given, in order to get a more successful harvest, the Minister emphasized.
Minister of State for Agriculture Mohan Priyadarshana de Silva, Ministry Secretary Gunadasa Samarasinghe, Chairman of Ceylon Fertilizer Company Dr. Jagath Perera and Commissioner General of Agricultural Development Department A. H. M. L. Abeyratne and others participated in this event.
