The Cabinet nod has been granted to provide fertilizer subsidy to paddy farmers and tea growers to ensure food security and support the recovery in tea production. 

Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries Mahinda Amaraweera on Wednesday sought the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to provide 50 kg of chemical fertilizer bundles at a concessionary price of Rs. 4000  to tea growers through the State Fertilizer Company Ltd to encourage the application of fertilizers.

“It has been identified that the reduction in the use of fertilizers in cultivation, due to the increase in prices, and the banning of chemical fertilizers during the past period, have caused a decline in tea production. Therefore, a need has arisen at present to grant concessions to tea growers with the objective of popularising the use of fertilizers for increasing tea production. ,” the Government Information Department noted.

In particular, smallholder sector has been struggling to finance the fertilizer cost, resulting in a decline in quality and yield.

Meanwhile, Minister Amaraweera also sought the approval of the Cabinet Ministers to provide a financial subsidy of Rs. 15,000 per hectare subject to a maximum two hectares for paddy and other cultivations.

It was also decided to sell fertilizer at a competitive price after importing it by the State Fertilizer Company Ltd. and the private sector for the 2024/25 Maha Season.

The government Information Department noted that the main aim behind the subsidy is to ensure food security and increase production in the country. (NF)