• There was no difference in chemical or organic in agriculture and said  what is needed is nutrients required for the plant such as Nitrogen,  Phosphorus and Potassium
• We will ensure that farmers will receive fertiliser needed for them at the proper time

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera  

Refuting claims that the potassium chloride fertiliser imported from Lithuania was chemical-based, Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage reiterated yesterday that it was not chemical but a type of an organic fertiliser.  

He told Parliament that this potassium chloride was a mineral obtained from the earth and that it becomes chemical only after being processed.  

Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa under Standing Orders 27/2, the Minister said that there was no difference in chemical or organic in agriculture and said what is needed is nutrients required for the plant such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.  
“I went round the country and met farmers. They wanted Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium for their cultivations. You, during the Yahapalana Government, provided farmers with chemical Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. We will ensure that farmers will receive fertiliser needed for them at the proper time,” he said.  
He said all the ordered stocks of Nano Nitrogen Liquid Fertiliser would be received by October 30.  
“Nano Nitrogen is the latest technology used in the world. It is more effective. We are importing nano nitrogen produced under a high quality control process,” he said.  

He said this nano fertilizer had been approved for use after research done for three years using 11,000 farmers in India.  “More than 6.9 million farmers cultivate 3.1 million hectares using this nano fertiliser in India,” he said.   The Minister said the Government would take responsibility on the nano fertiliser and assured that there would not be any food scarcity in the future as claimed by the opposition.