An excellent decision taken by the Ministry of Agriculture on behalf of the country to increase organic fertilizer use from 1% to 30%within 03 years of period

The Hon. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Minister of Agriculture stated that the local farmers and consumers are facing serious health issues due to the misuse of chemical fertilizers and as a proper sustainable solution, a program to increase the production of organic fertilizer and popularize the same among the farming community should be implemented rapidly.

The Honorable Minister stated this at a discussion held in the Auditorium of the Ministry of Agriculture on directing local farmers to use organic fertilizer in order to make His Excellency the President's concept of providing a sustainable solution to the environmental and health issues caused by the use of chemical fertilizers, into a reality.

During this discussion, the Minister of Agriculture took an excellent decision for the progress of agriculture as well as the health of the people. Focusing on the creation of a healthy generation, especially through a non-toxic diet, the Minister stressed the need to expedite the necessary steps to encourage the use of organic fertilizers.

The attention was paid on taking a number of steps to reduce the health issues as well as environmental problems caused by the misuse of chemical fertilizers.

Accordingly,

• Increasing the production capacity of organic fertilizer in the government fertilizer companies.
• Providing technology and technical advice for the production of organic fertilizer.
• Providing necessary tax relief/modern equipmentfor private companies.
• Providing lands required for the production of organic fertilizer.
• Providing necessary raw materials for the production of organic fertilizer through government involvement.
• Establishing a proper mechanism for distribution of organic fertilizer though government involvement.

Honorable Mahindananda Aluthgamage further stated that hewould bring the necessity of increasing subsidy of the farmers who use organic fertilizer under the government fertilizer subsidy and purchasing their products for high price into the kind noticeof His Excellency the President.

Accordingly, this project will be operated from January 2021 and thereby the use of local organic fertilizer will get increased up to 30% within 03 years of period.

This event was attended by State Ministers, Secretary to the Ministry, Secretaries to the State Ministries, Ministry officials and representatives of organic fertilizer companies.