'Fertilizer subsidy provided to farmers'

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Minister Jagath Pushpakumara and Gampaha district Parliamentarian Sudarshani Fernandopulle at the exhibition organised by the Coconut Development Authority.

Sri Lanka is the only country which provides the fertilizer subsidy over a long period, said Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa participating in the Gampaha District Kapruka Purawara launching ceremony held at the Divulapitiya Don Bosco Estate recently.

The government has been providing the fertilizer subsidy since 2005. Though prices of all types of products are escalating daily, the government never increased the price of fertilizer, said the minister.

"The government spends about Rs. 50,000 million to provide the fertilizer subsidy.

"Coconut cultivators have a great responsibility to obtain the maximum use of the fertilizer subsidy similar to the paddy farmers," he said.

Addressing the occasion, Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Minister Jagath Pushpakumara said the ministry plans to make coconut the chief export crop to earn the highest foreign revenue by 2018

"Under the ministry's programmes all parts of the coconut tree have received a good price. Today, coconut husk is sold at Rs.6 to 7," he said.