Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera instructed the Department of Agrarian Development to complete the distribution of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) fertilizer to all Agrarian Service Centres by April 10 before the start of the Yala Season paddy cultivation.
The Minister gave these instructions at a discussion held at the Ministry of Agriculture on Tuesday (21) regarding the distribution of fertilizers for the Yala Season.
“The distribution of TSP for the Yala Season began last Monday and by Tuesday, 9177 metric tons of TSP had been distributed. The amount of fertilizer obtained by the farmers is 994 metric tons. Over 1.2 million farmers will be given TSP fertilizer for paddy cultivation and within two days 20,940 farmers have received the fertilizer,” said Commissioner General of Agrarian Development Department H. M. A. L. Abeyratne. Minister Amaraweera said that Rs.2,500 million has been spent by the Government for the distribution of TSP stocks islandwide. Even though the UNFAO and USAID agencies provide free fertilizer to Sri Lanka, the Government has to bear the transport charges for the countrywide distribution of the fertilizer stocks.
Therefore, the Minister also said that the Treasury has allocated Rs.2,500 million for the distribution of the relevant fertilizer stock.
The Minister also said that despite the economic problems faced by the country, the Government will provide the necessary funds for the benefit of farmers.
The Government also spent a lot of money for the distribution of Urea Fertilizer during the Maha Season, with Rs. 6,000 million spent for the distribution of 110,000 metric tons of Urea.
Arrangements have been made for farmers to obtain TSP from the respective Agrarian Service Centres.
by Daily News Sri Lanka
, Local, ,