brand logo

Ban on chemical fertiliser: Government to revisit ban, explore options?

09 Oct 2021

  • Evaluating options to meet need for nitrogen supplement: Pathirana
  • Two nitrogen-based supplements from India undergoing tests, process expedited: Aluthgamage
By Asiri Fernando Sri Lanka is evaluating two nitrogen-based supplements to be imported from India, aimed at supplying the export agriculture industry, The Sunday Morning learnt. The export crop industry, like other growers, was struggling to adjust to the sudden ban on chemical fertiliser. Tea and cinnamon growers had voiced concerns about their ability to meet export targets and stay afloat if a practical solution was not found soon. Senior government sources told The Sunday Morning that the Government was revisiting the chemical fertiliser ban and that the issue was debated at the special cabinet meeting held last Thursday (7), indicating that the possibility of lifting the ban partially to support critical export corps was also discussed. When contacted, Minister of Plantation and Co-cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Ramesh Pathirana denied the easing of the chemical fertiliser ban. However, he stated that the Government was looking at different options to meet the nitrogen supplement needs of growers. “We have not come to a conclusion that it will be a chemical fertiliser,” Dr. Pathirana stressed, adding that it will take “a few days” for them to reach a decision on the available options. “It will take a few days to decide on what to import. We will replenish the needed nitrogen supplements,” Dr. Pathirana said. He, however, did not comment on whether the supplements were only for export crops such as tea or if it would be made available to paddy farmers who were also facing the same conundrum. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that two nitrogen supplements were currently undergoing a battery of tests in order to ensure selection of the most suitable option. The Agriculture Ministry submitted samples to several labs for testing and will adopt international benchmark regulations on compounds that are not listed in regulatory structures locally, the Agriculture Minister said. Samples were also sent to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Council for testing, he added. “We have identified two nitrogen supplement options and are in discussions with the Indian High Commission and the Chinese Embassy to get one down soon,” Aluthgamage said, adding that negotiations were ongoing to expedite the process, and if needed, the Government would explore the possibility of sending by air freight an advance batch of the concentrated nitrogen supplement, once test results were received and a decision was taken. The Government’s ad hoc decision to ban the import and use of chemical fertiliser overnight was widely criticised by industry experts, farmers, and political parties. Some economists and academics warned that the decision, while positive in principle, should not be rushed, and pointed out that the effects of the decision may give rise to food security challenges which Sri Lanka can ill afford.      


More News..