Slow-worm fertilizer project for cultivators

The Irrigation and Water Management Ministry will introduce a slow-worm fertilizer project for cultivations in the Mahaweli Development regions.

A special workshop to educate resident managers in Mahaweli Zones and Mahaweli Agricultural officers regarding the project was held at Mahaweli Centre, Colombo presided by Ministry Secretary Ivan de Silva recently, said a press release by the Government Information Department.

According to this project, carbonic and liquid fertilizer produced through the slow-worm will be introduced for agricultural activities in place of the chemical fertilizers and pesticides used by farmers.

Household refuse, weeds, dry leaves and degradable waste will be used in the manufacture process which can easily be undertaken in households itself since the quantity needed for cultivations in relatively small.

Use of this fertilizer will help maintain humidity in the soil while the worms produced by the slow-worm eggs will enhance soil fertility, the release said.