Government to start organic fertiliser production pilot project in North Central Province

The Cabinet of Ministers this week cleared a proposal to launch the organic fertiliser production pilot project across all Divisional Secretariat divisions in the North Central Province (NCP), drawing capital from the Land Reform Commission Fund, as the government races to secure organic fertiliser for the upcoming Maha season amid an import ban on chemical fertilisers and agrochemicals. 

Under the proposed pilot project, the government expects to set up at least one organic fertiliser centre in each of the 29 Divisional Secretariat divisions in the agriculture-dominated Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts.
Lands and Land Development Minister S.M. Chandrasena on Monday sought the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for the pilot project, submitting a resolution. 

The government expects to recover the funds of the Land Reform Commission Fund that would be utilised for the project, within three to six months. 

The manufactured organic fertiliser under the project is to be purchased by the Agriculture Ministry to be distributed among farmers. 

“Since the government has already taken measures to ban usage of chemical fertiliser for agriculture, it is essential to prepare an appropriate programme for ensuring a sufficient supply of organic fertiliser by increasing the production of the same by the start of Maha season in September,” the Government Information Department said. 

The Cabinet of Ministers last week approved a proposal to import up to 60 percent organic fertiliser and the required nutrients for paddy cultivations for the upcoming Maha season.