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Farmers left high and dry as ‘Maha’ looms?

07 Sep 2021

  • Allowance for private carbonic fertiliser making not provided
  • No analysis of soil samples from farming land despite promise 
BY Pamodi Waravita The National Agrarian Unity (NAU) organisation yesterday (7) claimed that the Government is yet to provide the promised Rs. 12,500 for each hectare up to two hectares of farming land, for farmers to manufacture carbonic fertiliser. “The Government repeatedly stated that it would provide Rs. 12,500 for farmers to help them in manufacturing carbonic fertiliser on their own. However, the Agrarian Development Department service centres have not even started compiling lists for the distribution of this money yet. There is no proper programme to prepare for the Maha Season, which is due to start at the end of this month,” alleged NAU President Anuradha Thennakoon, at a press briefing held yesterday (7). Furthermore, Thennakoon said that although the Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage had promised that soil samples from farming land will be analysed prior to recommending carbonic fertiliser, it is yet to be done. “How have they recommended carbonic fertiliser for us if they did not collect soil data properly from even one of the 556 Agrarian Development Department service centres? What was the basis for this recommendation? If the Government decides that the country is switching to organic agriculture, then the Government must implement a proper method to ensure that the farmers receive carbonic fertiliser along with the knowledge of organic farming techniques, effectively,” noted Thennakoon. He warned that carbonic fertiliser takes a certain period of time to produce, which is concerning as the Maha Season is due to begin in about three weeks. He further alleged that officers from the Agriculture Department are not involved in these tasks anymore, and that it is technical officers from the Agrarian Development Department service centres who are coordinating with the farmers now, which is impractical. “They are trying to create a carbonic fertiliser mafia by allowing only a few companies to import it. This could seriously affect Sri Lanka’s biodiversity if fertiliser that can harm our biodiversity is brought into the country,” he elaborated. Thennakoon added that the gazette notification released on 30 August, which allows the Commissioner General of Essential Services to seize essential goods which are being hoarded, is a threat to small-time farmers who keep small stocks of rice for their own needs after selling the excess produce. The Production and Supply of Fertiliser and Regulation of Chemical Fertiliser and Insecticide Use State Ministry stated last week that all preparations are underway to ensure that farmers are fully equipped to face the first Maha Season after the chemical fertiliser ban came into place. Officials assured that the country would face no food shortage as a result of this switch. Agriculture Ministry Secretary Prof. Udith Jayasinghe was not available for immediate comment.  


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