President calls for swift solutions to fertiliser related issues

• Instructs officials to find short, medium and long-term solutions
• Highlights importance of shifting towards organic fertiliser

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday called on officials to provide quick solutions to issues faced by farmers concerning to the supply, distribution and use of fertiliser.

He made these remarks during a discussion held with Agriculture Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Agriculture Ministry Secretary Major General (Rtd) Sumedha Perera, Provincial Governors and several other officials to review the current status of the fertiliser supply and distribution.

Noting that the issues relating to fertiliser during crop growing stage has become regular in many districts, the President instructed to find short, medium and long-term solutions to address it. President Rajapaksa also highlighted the importance of shifting towards organic fertiliser by gradually decreasing the usage of chemical fertiliser. It was noted that the natural composition of the soil has been drastically changed due excessive use of chemical fertiliser. Farmers tend to use fertiliser in big quantities with the expectation of a high yield due to lack of proper awareness on the usage.  During the discussion, the officials and the Governors pointed out that the restrictions on agri imports, increase in the usage of lands for vegetable, fruits and grain cultivation are some of the contributory factors for the high demand for the fertiliser. “The farmers should be apprised on how to use fertiliser effectively through agricultural officers and mass media,” President Rajapaksa said.  Northern Province Governor P. S. M. Charles noted that the farmers in North prefer to use more organic fertiliser, adding that the yield is higher both in quality and quantity.

“If the farmers in other areas too use organic fertiliser like in the past, it will help solving many health hazards,” the President added.

President Rajapaksa instructed the officials to pay special attention to the production of organic fertiliser according to relevant standards and to find out the varieties of crops that will grow fast using organic fertiliser. 

He also outlined the importance of evaluating progress achieved by using organic fertiliser. Attention has been paid to encourage use of organic fertiliser by offering a higher price when purchasing the harvest and provide concessions.

The President said the demand for chemical fertilisers can be brought down by developing organic fertiliser production as a large scale industry. The requirement of studying the distribution of organic fertiliser in the world market was also discussed.