• Crisis triggered after government initially banned use of chemical fertilizer

By Kelum Bandara  

Paddy production will drop by 30 per cent but there won’t be any food shortage in the country, Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said.  

Addressing a workshop of the agrarian officials and the provincial agriculture directors , he said 90.- 95 per cent of rice fields had been cultivated, and in case there was any crop reduction, it would not be more than 30 per cent.  
Rice cultivation has been hit by the lack of fertilizer. The crisis was triggered after the government initially banned the use of chemical fertilizer. The government has rowed back on its policy, but there is not enough time to import stocks required for the current season. 

 
The Minister said the fertilizer stocks ordered for fruit and vegetable cultivation would be available by the end of January.  “There is no room for a food shortage,” he said.