Under the guidance of UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), the World Food Programme has arranged to provide 55,000 metric tons of MOP fertiliser to the farmers of Sri Lanka free of charge, said Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.

This stock of fertiliser is to be given for paddy cultivation in the next two cropping seasons. The Government will receive this stock of fertiliser from the World Food Programme.

The Minister emphasized this in a discussion held at the Agriculture and Plantation Industries Ministry regarding the National Fertiliser Programme, yesterday (01).

Due to the non-application of MOP fertiliser, which is an essential fertiliser for paddy cultivation, yellowing of the paddy cultivation occurs; also, the panicles fail to grow properly. It has been found that many farmers do not use MOP fertiliser for paddy cultivation and only 400 metric tons have been sold in this Yala season.

The price of MOP fertiliser was at a high level of Rs. 14,000 and Minister Amaraweera was advised to reduce this price to Rs. 9,000 by the government owned fertiliser companies. Accordingly, since the last Maha season, MOP fertiliser has been sold at the price of Rs. 9,000.

However, it is estimated that Rs. 3.5 billion will be spent on VAT and operational fees for the fertiliser distribution. Of this, Rs. 1.1 billion will have to be spent as utility costs and Rs. 2.4 billion as VAT. Minister Amaraweera said that the approval of the Cabinet has been obtained to receive this amount.

(dailynews.lk)

 (This story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)