Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries Mahinda Amaraweera said that he has submitted proposals to the government to increase the fertilizer subsidy currently given by the government to 30,000 rupees for the purchase of fertilizer for paddy cultivation from next year.
The minister made these statements while addressing a press conference held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries today (20).
The government has implemented a program to double the paddy yield in five cropping seasons. Accordingly, the fertilizer required for paddy cultivation should be applied on time. The government has realized that the current amount of 10,000 rupees given for the purchase of fertilizers is not enough at all, but due to the existing economic situation, it is not possible to give more money than that.
But as there has been some stability in the economy, there is a possibility to increase the amount given for fertilizer subsidy. Therefore, the minister mentioned that proposals have been submitted to the government to increase the fertilizer subsidy amount to 30,000 rupees from next year’s yala season.
Also, 55,000 metric tons of MOP fertilizer will be provided free of cost to the farmers in the next two maha seasons. Accordingly, the minister also mentioned that steps will be taken to provide the entire amount of MOP fertilizer required by the farmers free of charge.
The minister also said that if the fertilizer subsidy is increased to 30,000 rupees, it will cost only 30 billion rupees.