With funding from the United States’ Agency for International Development (USAID), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Sri Lanka delivered 36,000 metric tonnes (MTs) of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) fertiliser to the Ministry of Agriculture for immediate distribution to all paddy farmers across the country. Announcing this, the USAID and FAO noted that this is the first shipment of TSP fertiliser to arrive in Sri Lanka since 2021, and that it will provide essential nutrients to paddy crops cultivated by over one million paddy farmers in the upcoming Yala cultivation season which falls in the April-August period and beyond.
The ship carrying 36,000 MTs TSP fertiliser arrived in the Colombo Port on 16 March after a hiatus of over a year and a half.
“Paddy farmers across the island will receive TSP fertiliser at no cost. The amount received is calculated based on the extent cultivated by each farmer and the TSP requirement in their respective agriculture zone. The distribution will commence this week, through the Department of Agrarian Development of the Ministry of Agriculture,” a press release in this regard read.
Expressing appreciation on behalf of Sri Lanka in this regard, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena stated that while Sri Lanka is thankful for the support extended by the FAO and USAID to help Sri Lankan farmers receive vital inputs for their cultivation, the country is confident that with such assistance, local farmers will successfully rise to the challenge facing them. Meanwhile, speaking at the handover event, Minister of Agriculture, Mahinda Amaraweera, has expressed his gratitude to the people of America and the FAO for providing timely support to reinvigorate the local agricultural sector. Through this support, he stated, it is certain that the yield of the upcoming harvesting seasons will improve steadily, and the country’s eventual aim is to minimise dependency on rice imports and further empower Sri Lankan paddy farmers.
The press release quoted US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, who spoke at the handover event: “This shipment brings the total of USAID-supported TSP and urea fertiliser to over 45,000 MTs during a time when farmers are trying hard to maximise rice production and meet the country’s food needs. We want to help fulfil their hopes. For 75 years, the people of America have stood by the people of Sri Lanka through progress and crisis, demonstrating our goodwill and commitment. Our story is one focused on people, progress, and partnership, and our commitment to supporting the people of Sri Lanka in good times and bad will not waiver. Today’s fertiliser donation is a demonstration of America’s enduring goodwill and commitment to the people of Sri Lanka. It comes without strings attached and it is a testament to how the American people stand with the people of Sri Lanka.”
In addition, USAID Mission Director for Sri Lanka and the Maldives Gabriel Grau stated that this fertiliser will help local farmers boost their production and that it will ensure that the country is food secure. Most importantly, this also can jump-start market-driven agricultural production and potentially lead to Sri Lanka becoming a food exporter, according to Grau.
“We thank the U.S. Government for the support extended at a critical juncture, enabling this consignment of TSP fertiliser, the first to arrive in the country in two years, which will be distributed to all paddy farmers based on the extent of their cultivation and the advised application for each of the agricultural zones through the support of the Ministry of Agriculture,” FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Vimlendra Sharan, said during the event.
The United States, through USAID, provided $ 46 million in funding to procure essential fertiliser, providing much-needed nutrients to paddy crops, helping increase paddy production, and averting a food crisis. This funding also provided cash assistance to small-holder farmers who were affected by low yields over the past few agricultural seasons and on account of the prevailing economic crisis. The program is being implemented by FAO with oversight provisions to ensure transparency and accountability. In the last year, the United States has provided more than $ 270 million in new support to Sri Lankans amid the ongoing economic crisis. In addition, the US remains the largest donor to the UN Humanitarian Needs Plan for Sri Lanka.