• Unprecedented spike in prices

By Kelum Bandara

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will have a crucial meeting with the authorities of the agriculture sector today to discuss the fertilizer crisis that has affected vegetable farming, leading to unprecedented spikes in prices.

Vegetable harvests have dropped drastically in the country, particularly in the upcountry areas, resulting in the highest retail prices after 2018.   Farmers complain that lack of fertilizer resulted in the drop in harvests both in quality and quantity.

The situation arose after the government banned chemical farming in the country.

The president has called for a meeting with the key stakeholders of the agriculture sector including Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage today morning to assess the impact and take steps. 

• Farmers complain that lack of fertilizer resulted in the drop in harvests both in quality and quantity