Over Rs. 113 m allocated to promote carbonic fertilizer

Athapttu Bandara and Jayasiri Munasinghe

The government will increase the use of carbonic fertilizer, while discouraging farmers to use chemical substances. Over Rs. 113 million has been allocated to promote carbonic fertilizer in the country, Agrarian Services and Wildlife Ministry Secretary Udeni Wickramasinghe said.

He the government's fertilizer subsidy programme which is line with the Mahinda Chinthana policy frame work has been implemented for the 15th consecutive time.

Fertilizer varieties, such as, Urea, TSP and MOP which were initially provided at Rs 350 are still being provided at the same price after President Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed duties in 2005," he said.

"This massive subsidy is given as the Government gives pride of place to the agriculture sector," he pointed out.

"Though fertilizer prices increase on a regular basis in the world market, the Government has never burden the farmer with these increases.

The Government only charges 10 percent of the present market value from the farmer.

This is the largest subsidy project being implemented by the Government," he pointed out.

A 50 kg bag of fertilizer used for paddy cultivation is provided at Rs 350 while a 50 kg bag of fertilizer for other cultivations is offered at Rs. 1.200.

"The country is now self sufficient in rice and the surplus is exported. This is a great achievement by the Government.

We have initiated pilot projects for the use of carbonic fertilizer which is produced at 1.000 centres in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.

They have been equipped with all required facilities," he said.