Fertiliser subsidy for all food crops

Hemanthi GURUGE

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said that the government had taken the important decision to provide the fertiliser subsidy for all food crops under the Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dekma.

Minister Rajapaksa addressing tea and rubber smallholders, large scale tea and rubber growers and farmers on Thursday, said that the government decided to implement a fertiliser subsidy programme in 2005, and paddy farmers have been receiving a 50Kg bag of fertiliser at Rs 350 .

The Minister said that Sri Lanka is the only country where fertiliser has been provided to farmers at a stable price over six years.

Rajapaksa also pointed out that the government spends Rs 50,000 millions annually to provide a fertiliser subsidy for all food crops.

Under the common fertiliser subsidy, farmers can obtain a 50 kg bag of chemical fertiliser at Rs 1,200. The maximum retail price of a 50 kg bag of fertiliser mixture should be maintained at Rs 1,300.

Farmers can purchase fertiliser mixture at any place.

Farmers can purchase fertiliser at subsidise rates without filling forms, without approval and without having to wait in the waiting list.

The minister added that the government considers that fertiliser subsidy as an investment.