Increase in fertilizer subsidy

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE and Nivantha KANUWANA

The Government will take steps to increase the fertilizer subsidy from next year, Agriculture and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday.

The Minister addressing a press briefing in Colombo, said farmers can obtain fertiliser from the open market for the forthcoming Yala season at Rs. 350 per 50 kg bag.

Accordingly, farmers who are entitled to the fertiliser subsidy can purchase fertiliser without restriction in the open market. These steps will be taken in line with the Mahinda Chintana Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu program.

The Government has spent Rs. 65 billion on the fertiliser subsidy in 2008.