Efficient fertilizer distribution mechanism in the offing

Nimal Wijesinghe - Anuradhapura additional district group correspondent

A programme is being launched to create a more efficient fertilizer subsidy distribution mechanism in the Anuradhapura district.

Referring to the move, Anuradhapura Additional District Secretary K B Hettiarachchi who is also the head of the district fertilizer committee said that last year alone the government has spent Rs 3,050 million for the Anuradhapura district's fertilizer subsidy.

He said that the increase of the subsidy from year to year was being reviewed. In 2012/2013 Maha season fertilizer subsidy amounting to around 50,000 metric tonnes had been distributed via 40 Agrarian Services jurisdictions explained the Additional District Secretary.

“When going through the applications for additional fertilizer subsidy in 2011/2012 Maha cultivation season many applications had been rejected and the acreage for which subsidy was asked for was about 15,000 acres,” Hettiarachchi revealed.

After considering, the situation it has been decided to follow a fertilizer distribution mechanism ensuring the genuineness, efficiency and authenticity from this year's Yala cultivation season by the District Fertilizer Committee.

Under this programme every subsidy application shall be submitted in duplicate at the level of the Grama Niladari division with a certification of the authorized officers regarding the acreage and the fertilizer requirements, the Additional District Secretary emphasized.

“It can't be justifiable in the present context the extravagant increase of arable land for which the fertilizer subsidy is being asked for, in relation to the acreage of fallow farmlands coming under the cultivation and new lands being cultivated annually.

There is a discrepancy at a glance. It is my view that we can save at least Rs 50 million at a cultivation season if loop-holes are identified,” Hettiarachchi said.