August 23, Colombo (LNW): The government has announced a plan to provide tea growers with a 50 kg bundle of chemical fertilizer at a concessionary price of Rs. 4,000 through the State Fertilizer Company Ltd. This initiative aims to address the decline in tea production caused by the reduced use of fertilizers, which resulted from both the increase in fertilizer prices and the previous ban on chemical fertilizers.
The need for such concessions has become evident as the tea industry struggles with decreased production. The government’s decision to offer this subsidy is intended to encourage the use of fertilizers and help increase tea yields. The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, recognizing the critical role of fertilizers in revitalizing tea cultivation in the country.