Free fertiliser delay derails ‘Maha’ plans
By Sarah Hannan
The timely cultivation of crops for the upcoming Maha season has been jeopardised as the Government has failed to deliver free fertiliser on time, pushing farmers to purchase fertiliser from shops at a high price, The Sunday Morning learnt.
“The Government is misleading the farmers this time by saying they are unable to deliver the fertiliser for their cultivating needs on time and telling to purchase fertiliser using their (farmers) personal funds. The biggest issue the farming communities are now facing is that the price of fertiliser has increased by about Rs. 500,” All Island Farmers’ Federation (AIFF) National Co-ordinator Namal Karunaratne told The Sunday Morning.
He also noted that the Government has now set a condition saying that each farm should have a composting bin/pit, in line with the Government’s initiative to explore the possibility of producing organic fertiliser and using at least 25% of organic fertiliser during this cultivation season.
“The condition is that it is only if they have a composting bin/pit that they would receive free fertiliser this time. In my opinion, it is very unfair to set such conditions. At least they should create some awareness on how to set up and maintain a composting bin/pit first, and they (farmers) should be given time to do so,” Karunarathne noted.
He also pointed out that the Government should look at issuing fertiliser subsidies to other group cultivators, given that the country is hit by a pandemic and farmers are finding it difficult to ensure there is a sufficient yield to meet the country’s food demand.
In early September, the National Fertiliser Secretariat had obtained Cabinet approval to import 425,000 metric tonnes (MT) of fertiliser to meet the demand of farmers for the Maha season.
“This time, we have placed an order to import an additional 275,000 MT of fertiliser to meet the growing demand from farmers; given that the quantity we are looking to import is high, we have also given licenses to each and every individual and group to import fertiliser as per the requirement till 15 March 2021,” National Fertiliser Secretariat Director Mahesh Gammanpila told The Sunday Morning.
Gammanpila admitted that there is a delay in the fertiliser stocks being delivered due to the quantity and travel restrictions that are in place from time to time due to Covid-19.
According to the Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival, in order to fulfil the demand of fertiliser that is required, both public and private sector importers are to be given the fullest support to import fertiliser without hindrance.
In addition to that, the Government is also exploring the possibility of producing organic fertiliser in an attempt to reduce the use of chemical fertiliser by 25% during the upcoming Maha season.
Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage recently presented a proposal to the Cabinet to produce fertiliser on a scientific basis in order to maintain sustainable soil conditions to produce quality crops.
Under this initiative, the National Fertiliser Secretariat is to be equipped with modern technology, improving existing laboratories and strengthening the district-level operating and evaluation system, including a field inspection mechanism to be established in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC).
By Sarah Hannan
The timely cultivation of crops for the upcoming Maha season has been jeopardised as the Government has failed to deliver free fertiliser on time, pushing farmers to purchase fertiliser from shops at a high price, The Sunday Morning learnt.
“The Government is misleading the farmers this time by saying they are unable to deliver the fertiliser for their cultivating needs on time and telling to purchase fertiliser using their (farmers) personal funds. The biggest issue the farming communities are now facing is that the price of fertiliser has increased by about Rs. 500,” All Island Farmers’ Federation (AIFF) National Co-ordinator Namal Karunaratne told The Sunday Morning.
He also noted that the Government has now set a condition saying that each farm should have a composting bin/pit, in line with the Government’s initiative to explore the possibility of producing organic fertiliser and using at least 25% of organic fertiliser during this cultivation season.
“The condition is that it is only if they have a composting bin/pit that they would receive free fertiliser this time. In my opinion, it is very unfair to set such conditions. At least they should create some awareness on how to set up and maintain a composting bin/pit first, and they (farmers) should be given time to do so,” Karunarathne noted.
He also pointed out that the Government should look at issuing fertiliser subsidies to other group cultivators, given that the country is hit by a pandemic and farmers are finding it difficult to ensure there is a sufficient yield to meet the country’s food demand.
In early September, the National Fertiliser Secretariat had obtained Cabinet approval to import 425,000 metric tonnes (MT) of fertiliser to meet the demand of farmers for the Maha season.
“This time, we have placed an order to import an additional 275,000 MT of fertiliser to meet the growing demand from farmers; given that the quantity we are looking to import is high, we have also given licenses to each and every individual and group to import fertiliser as per the requirement till 15 March 2021,” National Fertiliser Secretariat Director Mahesh Gammanpila told The Sunday Morning.
Gammanpila admitted that there is a delay in the fertiliser stocks being delivered due to the quantity and travel restrictions that are in place from time to time due to Covid-19.
According to the Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival, in order to fulfil the demand of fertiliser that is required, both public and private sector importers are to be given the fullest support to import fertiliser without hindrance.
In addition to that, the Government is also exploring the possibility of producing organic fertiliser in an attempt to reduce the use of chemical fertiliser by 25% during the upcoming Maha season.
Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage recently presented a proposal to the Cabinet to produce fertiliser on a scientific basis in order to maintain sustainable soil conditions to produce quality crops.
Under this initiative, the National Fertiliser Secretariat is to be equipped with modern technology, improving existing laboratories and strengthening the district-level operating and evaluation system, including a field inspection mechanism to be established in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC).