The required fertiliser could not be properly distributed to the farmers during the first season as the Green Agriculture initiative commenced, said Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, claiming that this was mainly due to the omissions of the officials entrusted with the program.
The Minister made this observation speaking to media in Kandy.
Although it was decided to ban chemical fertiliser completely in the move of popularising organic fertiliser, the farmers could not be properly informed about the process due to these officials’ conduct, he alleged.
Aluthgamage added that the distribution of fertiliser during the upcoming Yala season will be carried out properly after understanding the shortcomings that occurred during the Maha season. The President has instructed to implement the relevant decisions to popularise organic farming without causing any inconvenience to the people, the Agriculture Minister told media.
Claiming that there are no problems in paddy cultivation during the Maha season as suggested by certain parties, Aluthgamage stressed that this year’s empty harvest will be less than usual and that the farmers will be facing no problems in the event that the harvest will be bigger despite the lower area of cultivation grounds.
The Minister went on saying that a study carried out on the problems arisen in several districts revealed that the overall yield has declined by about 20 per cent. The matter, therefore, will be discussed at the Cabinet meeting to be held next Monday and a decision will taken regarding the price to be declared for farmers and the compensation to be paid for the crop damage, he added.
MIAP