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Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera Hon. Minister of Agriculture has mentioned that it is decided to provide urea fertilizers for vegetable farmers at the same price as paddy cultivation from next Maha season.
The Minister has mentioned this at a discussion held with the controllers of Economic Centers and farmer representatives in yesterday (21) evening.
Farmer representatives commenting on the price hike of some vegetable prices in current market stated that vegetable farmers are being faced great difficulties due to the prevailing drought as well as due to the fertilizer prices are in a higher level.
Therefore, they have requested from the Minister to take measures to provide urea fertilizers at a concessionary price for paddy cultivation as well as for vegetable cultivation.
By replying Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera Hon. Minister of Agriculture has mentioned, farmers have made requests to provide urea fertilizers at a concessionary price for vegetable cultivation during the discussions held with the farmers in several regions such as Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Dambulla. Therefore, necessary steps will be taken to provide urea fertilizers for vegetable farmers at the same prices as urea fertilizers provided for paddy cultivation from next Maha season.
Also, it is mentioned that the Ceylon Fertilizer Corporation and Commercial Fertilizer Company are making mixed fertilizers for vegetable and other crops, and measures have been taken to provide the said fertilizers at a lower price than the market price.
Additionally, the Minister has mentioned about the condition of Economic Centers and stated that the expected objective when the Economic Centers were established has now been exceeded.
Also stated that, Economic Centers have been established with good intentions. Specially, in the aim of protecting both the farmer and the customer. However, at present another immediate group identified as Nadikarayo are controlling the Economic Centers and gain profits from them. This situation must be eliminated.
The Minister has appointed a committee for the regulation and inspection of the activities of Economic Centers. Accordingly, it is mentioned that the said committee should submit a report on the prevailing condition of Economic Centers within 2 months and actions will be taken in relation to the changes to be made in Economic Centers in view of the said report.
