Govt. to introduce fertiliser subsidy for organic paddy farmers

The Government has received the Cabinet approval to introduce a fertiliser subsidy scheme for paddy farmers using organic farming methods. 

The subsidy will be granted from the Yala season of this year. Under the earlier method of granting fertiliser subsidy to the farmers in the form of cash, which was being implemented from the 2016 Yala season onwards, the rice farmers had the option of using the cash subsidy to buy chemical fertiliser or organic fertiliser for their cultivation.

However, due to the unpopularity of the program, the Government decided to provide subsidised fertiliser to the farmers again instead of providing cash for purchasing the fertilisers. Accordingly, the paddy farmers will be granted chemical fertiliser again on a subsidised price from the 2018 Yala Season onwards.

It has been observed that this program, which is now being implemented, had not provided any relief to the farmers who cultivate using organic fertiliser. 

Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera, considering the importance of encouraging organic cultivation, has made a proposal to identify the farmers who are engaged in organic farming in each season and the actual extents of land to be cultivated at the Grama Niladhari Division level and credit the relevant financial subsidy in their bank accounts, and make the necessary adjustments during each season based on the variations in the price of chemical fertiliser.