District Farmers' representatives came forward today to pledge their commitment to return to environment friendly farming practices and have urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to not reverse the decision to ban chemical fertilizers.

Speaking on behalf of 1.1 million farmers across the country, at a meeting with the President earlier today the District Farmer’s representative affirmed their commitment in making a shift to organic fertilisers.

A statement released by the President's Media Division (PMD) stated that the farmers highlighted that it was their absolute duty and responsibility to return to the traditional farming methods and provide the people with a non-toxic healthy diet. 

The farmers' representatives assured President Rajapaksa that all the farmers in the country would support the President in overcoming the challenge of going for an agriculture based on organic fertilizer, as a team, for the benefit of all people in Sri Lanka just like the country once faced the challenge of concluding the war against terrorism.

In the meeting, the President affirmed that the required amount of organic fertilizer, including herbicides and pesticides, will be made available to the farmers in the same manner the chemical fertilizers were provided, and opportunities will also be created to produce the required fertilizers locally.

Furthermore, the President stated that the government will create an environment where the farmers will be able to receive a sum of Rs. 80,000 million spent annually on the importation of chemical fertilizers, while protecting the future generations from non-communicable diseases.