Plantations get fertiliser relief

The government has provided the tea industry with a concession on the fertiliser prices with a reduction granted across the board to all stakeholders.

This will help the industry to enhance the application of the fertiliser that has not been used or used partially by most farmers due to the high prices.

Colombo Commerical and Lak Pohora, the state-run fertiliser companies Chairman Jagath Perera told the Business Times that the authorities have taken a decision to grant a reduction of more than 40 per cent due to the drop in the application of fertiliser by farmers lately.

As a result he noted that the crop has been affected and these measures have been taken in a bid to ensure the industry will be able to provide an increased yield.

Mr. Perera said that they focused on the tea industry initially and in this respect is working with the Tea Smallholders Authority (TSHA) and the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB).

This is a golden chance for farmers since farmers didn’t use fertiliser and this is to encourage farmers to increase fertiliser use," Mr. Perera explained.

He pointed out that they will be distributing this fertiliser through the TSHA and SLTB to ensure that smallholders and the Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) will be able to obtain fertiliser at a reasonable price.

He noted that in this respect they have reduced prices by more than 40 per cent in the main category U709 and U834 that will drop prices to around Rs.7753 per 50 kg bag of fertiliser and T200 and T750 have dropped to Rs.5500.

"This is a golden chance for farmers since farmers didn’t use fertiliser and this is to encourage farmers to increase fertiliser use," Mr. Perera explained.

Meanwhile, paddy farmers have been granted urea through the Agrarian Services Department run centres around the country. These fertiliser will not be subject to the imposition of VAT on the product.

In the meantime, the government is involved in discussions with authorities on the possible granting of reasonable prices of fertiliser to the coconut and rubber industries.

The coconut industry has made representations to the Plantation Ministry and the authorities to ensure the granting of a reduction in prices of fertiliser to the sector.