Could supply major types of fertiliser to local market within three years: Govt.

President instructs officials to supply fertiliser without shortage for Maha season

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival Basil Rajapaksa said, there will be a possibility of supplying several major types of fertiliser to the local market within the next three years.

He said several universities including the University of Sri Jayawardenepura have conducted research on producing fertiliser locally.

In a statement, the PMD said researches have confirmed that the domestic demand for Single Superphosphate can be met utilising the Eppawala Phosphate reserve.

Experiments are underway to identify the possibility of producing new varieties of fertiliser using nano technology.

Mr. Basil Rajapaksa was responding to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who emphasised the necessity of manufacturing fertiliser locally to meet the demand instead of depending on importation.

This transpired at a meeting held to discuss future activities of the State Ministry of Regulation of Fertiliser Production and Supply, and use of Chemical Fertilisers and Pesticides, held at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday.

President stressed that fertiliser requirement of estates and farmers should be met on time in prescribed quantity maintaining high standards.

President instructed the officials to commence production of fertiliser immediately while the needed investments will be made by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Organic fertiliser was used for 25, 000 hectares of land during the last Yala season. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the expected yield has exceeded by 30%. Minister of Agriculture, Mahindananda Aluthgamage stated that they will combine organic fertiliser with chemical fertiliser, in 70:30 proportions, respectively.