Sri Lanka to stop chemical fertilizer imports and encourage organic fertilizer production
Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has noted that the importation of chemical fertilisers will be completely halted in the near future. The announcement was issued by the President’s Media Division (PMD).
The PMD statement has quoted President Rajapaksa noting that while usage of chemical fertilisers led to better harvests, the negative consequences of water pollution and illnesses outweighed benefits.
“The expenses to treat these patients and the impact on human lives caused by these chemical fertilisers remain high. In order to produce a healthy and productive citizenry, the Government must ensure the right of the people to access a non-toxic and balanced diet,” President Rajapaksa has stated, adding that measures would be taken to ensure that only organic fertiliser would be used by the agriculture sector in the future.
The President has reportedly made these observations during a meeting held with the heads of State corporations and statutory boards at the President’s House last week.
It has also been noted that all respective parties should intervene to increase the production of organic fertiliser in the country.
The President has further stated that organic fertiliser would be provided in lieu of the concessionary fertiliser package for farmers.
According to the President, the annual sum of US$ 400 million spent on fertiliser imports could be used to uplift the lives of the people.
OSL take:
The Sri Lankan government’s decision to promote organic fertilizer has created a new business/investment opportunity in the country’s agriculture sector. The call by the Sri Lankan President to expand the production of organic fertilizer in the country indicates the support and incentives afforded to potential investors. In fact Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector is focused on constant development in order to develop its food production process. Foreign businesses/investors could therefore explore business opportunities in Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20210427/Z_8 |