Cabinet approves distribution of free eco-friendly fertilizer for farmers

The Cabinet of Ministers has decided to prepare a methodology for encouraging the farmers to utilize organic fertilizer with higher standards.

The proposal was tabled by the Minister of Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development.

A cabinet sub-committee has been appointed to prepare a methodology and submit appropriate recommendations in the regard.
 
The Committee points out that it is required to publish the necessary standards for organic liquid fertilizer and bio fertilizer since Sri Lanka Standards Institute has already declared the precise standards for organic fertilizer.

Approximately 250 organic fertilizer manufacturers are in operation island-wide by now whereas 36 out of them have been issued the certificates of standard.

Considering the above facts, the Cabinet approved the proposal for preparation and implementation of a pilot project for either annihilation or proportionate removal of chemical fertilizer in replacement of environmental friendly fertilizer for paddy and other crops in several selected areas with the objective of encouraging the farmers for utilization of environmental friendly fertilizer and to further extend the project subject to the result of the pilot project subsequently to precisely identifying the productivity of applying that fertilizer for 04 agricultural seasons (‘Kannaya’) to the least within the areas this pilot project is being implemented.