By D.G.Sugathapala   

Tea small holders in the Galle district expressed concern about the poor output for want of fertilizer. They said the governments ban on import of chemical fertilizer had affected tea cultivation.   

They pointed out that the organic fertilizer would not bring about the expected yield and that they had not been educated on the use of organic fertilizer. They said the use of organic fertilizer was a failure. Former President of the All Ceylon Tea Factory Owners Association Harith Ranasinghe said only 1/3 of the requirements of fertilizer had been issued to the fertilizer distributors for the last three months and that it adversely affected tea cultivation.

He pointed out that the yield from tea cultivation was dwindling and that the tea factories were running short of tender leaves. He said in the circumstance the governments programme to uplift tea industry would be an utter failure.