Fertiliser subsidy for all food crops
Hemanthi GURUGE
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said that the
government had taken the important decision to provide the fertiliser
subsidy for all food crops under the Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dekma.
Minister Rajapaksa addressing tea and rubber smallholders, large
scale tea and rubber growers and farmers on Thursday, said that the
government decided to implement a fertiliser subsidy programme in 2005,
and paddy farmers have been receiving a 50Kg bag of fertiliser at Rs 350
.
The Minister said that Sri Lanka is the only country where fertiliser
has been provided to farmers at a stable price over six years.
Rajapaksa also pointed out that the government spends Rs 50,000
millions annually to provide a fertiliser subsidy for all food crops.
Under the common fertiliser subsidy, farmers can obtain a 50 kg bag
of chemical fertiliser at Rs 1,200. The maximum retail price of a 50 kg
bag of fertiliser mixture should be maintained at Rs 1,300.
Farmers can purchase fertiliser mixture at any place.
Farmers can purchase fertiliser at subsidise rates without filling
forms, without approval and without having to wait in the waiting list.
The minister added that the government considers that fertiliser
subsidy as an investment. |
