Govt. reverses policy on subsidy for chemical fertiliser for paddy farmers

The fertiliser consignments need to be delivered in Colombo on May 15--four weeks after the season begins since the mineral is required during the posttransplant period

The government has reversed its fertiliser policy not to grant subsidy for chemical fertiliser and is to import 38,500 metric tonnes of Pottasium Choloride (KCL) to be distributed under a state subsidy scheme to farmers for the upcoming Yala season.

The State Ministry responsible for the Promotion of the Production and Regulation of the Supply of Organic Fertiliser, Paddy & Grain, Organic Food, Vegetables, Fruits, Chilies, Onion and Potato Cultivation and Promotion of Seed Production and Advanced Technology Agriculture that comes under the Ministry of Agr i c u l t u re called for bidding on We d n e s d a y through two state institut i o n s, v i z . , Cey lon Fertiliser Co. Ltd., and Colombo Commercial Fertilisers Ltd.,

For bidding, private companies are required to ensure a bid security of USD 100,000 along with an irrevocable Letter of Credit to the two state institutions.

The fertiliser consignments need to be delivered in Colombo on May 15--four weeks after the season begins since the mineral is required during the posttransplant period.

Dr Ajantha De Silva, Director General at the Department of Agriculture told the Sunday Times that the Government had decided to import the natural mineral ( KCL) since other two plant nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus, could be secured through local sources alone. "Only Paddy farmers will be included in this subsidy scheme. For other crops, the private sector is given permits to import relevant fertilisers,"

Unlike in the past, the Ministry is to make separate management fees to the companies that secured bids to conduct technical seminars for farmers on the efficient appliance of the fertiliser with the assistance of the Department of Agriculture across the country.