President Entrusts Task Of Ensuring Fuel To Farmers In Coming Maha Cultivation To Agriculture Ministry
Shakila Ifham
October 15, 2022
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed the Agriculture Ministry to take up the responsibility of providing fuel to farmers in the coming Maha paddy cultivation.
In this regard, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday discussed with the representatives of the National Farmers’ Conference about the paddy cultivation activities in the upcoming Maha season.
Many expressed their opinions regarding the fuel and chemical fertilizers required for cultivation.
Minister said that at the Food Security Committee meeting President Wickremesinghe proposed a special work order to supply the fuel required for paddy cultivation in the high season to the farmers without any shortage.
Ceylon Petroleum Corporation will appoint a special officer to coordinate the supply of fuel to farmers in each district, and all district secretaries should take the necessary steps.
The minister said that all farmers should discuss with the district secretary if there is any problem in getting fuel for paddy cultivation.
He said that although there is currently a problem with kerosene, efforts have been made to solve the problem after the 20th of this month.
Also arrangements have been made to provide urea fertilizer and the Muriate of Potash tender has already been awarded and completed, a Ministry official said.
According to that, 40,000 metric tonnes of MOP is to be received by November.
The first stock of 12,750 metric tons of urea fertilizer is to be received by the last week of this month.
The minister also mentioned that the remaining stocks are to be received under three phases and the related tender awarded yesterday (13).
The distribution of urea fertilizer for the high season has already started and arrangements have been made to provide the required fertilizer to the farmers in all districts for applying the first round of fertilizer after paddy cultivation.
Therefore, the minister said that farmers will be able to cultivate in the ratio of 70 percent chemical fertiliser and 30 percent organic fertiliser as recommended by the Department of Agriculture.
Representatives of the Farmers’ Conference as well as Commissioner General of Agricultural Development, Agricultural Insurance Board, Chairman of Commercial Fertilizer Company and others participated in this discussion.
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