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Fertiliser Secretariat defends ‘smelly’ fertiliser

15 Dec 2021

  • Claims misinformation campaign based on minor issues
  • Notes fertiliser made using fish waste
BY Buddhika Samaraweera Following complaints by farmers that locally produced liquid fertiliser distributed through Agrarian Service Centres in several areas had a foul smell, the National Fertiliser Secretariat (NFS) has stated that it is not fair to spread misinformation about such fertiliser based on minor issues. Commenting to the media on the matter, NFS Director Chandana Lokuhewage said: “Solid fertiliser is also produced using animal waste and they also have a foul smell. These liquid fertilisers are made using fish waste and they also stink. But certain parties take a small issue in locally produced fertiliser and spread a lot of misinformation. That is not fair.” He also stated that no one has been harmed due to the use of local liquid fertiliser and that if anyone has been harmed due to the use of the same, the authorities can be informed regarding such. “Do pesticides and herbicides have a fragrance? They are very hazardous, but no one is harmed by these liquid fertilisers. They do not cause harm that can be caused by agrochemicals,” he added. Farmers have also complained that the containers in which locally produced liquid fertiliser were distributed by Agrarian Service Centres were exploding. However, Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage stated last week that it is not fair to talk only about the explosion of liquid fertiliser cans given to four or five farmers when more than 800,000 farmers have been given good-quality fertiliser. “Liquid fertiliser cans given to four or five farmers have exploded due to their high nitrogen activity and we will look into the issue. However, it is not fair to talk about the explosion of cans given to four or five farmers while more than 800,000 farmers have been given good-quality fertiliser,” he said. Farmers also alleged that the liquid fertilisers that exploded in that manner had a foul smell and seemed to have been manufactured using fish waste. In response to these allegations, Aluthgamage stated that the liquid fertiliser in question was in fact made using fish ingredients. He added that there was nothing wrong with fertiliser being manufactured with fish ingredients since they are rich in nitrogen. Meanwhile, when contacted by The Morning last week to inquire as to what action will be taken regarding the fertiliser which is allegedly exploding, Department of Agriculture Director General Dr. Ajantha De Silva said: “The Agriculture Department only provides technical support to the NFS, but the authority responsible for the quality of the fertiliser is the NFS.”


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