Deputy Minister acknowledges that there is a delay in fertilizer subsidy payments

By Anjula Mahika Weeraratne

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne acknowledged that there is a delay in receiving fertilizer subsidy payments to farmers’ accounts.  
The Deputy Minister stated that the reasons for the delays are being identified, and remedies are being sought. He assured that the fertilizer subsidy will be provided to farmers on priority.
He made these comments during a media briefing held at the Ministry of Agriculture in Battaramulla 
yesterday (27).  
This time, up to 850,000 hectares have been cultivated, and all those farmers will receive a fertilizer subsidy at the rate of Rs. 25,000 per hectare, said Minister Karunaratne. An amount of more than Rs. 20 billion has been allocated for this, he added.