Govt braces for organic farming against all odds – Agri Minister

• Lambasts JVP for fear mongering
• The introduction of organic farming would be made a success, overcoming all the challenges

By Kelum Bandara   

Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said registration of organic fertiliser manufactures would start on Monday onwards at the Agrarian Service Centres for the supply of them to farmers during the upcoming season. 
 
The Minister said the introduction of organic farming would be made a success, overcoming all the challenges.   
In a call with reporters, he said organic fertiliser would be manufactured using locally available raw materials, and therefore the need for imports might not arise.   
“In case, there is any need, we will import through Ceylon Fertiliser Company. One should not compare organic fertiliser to compost manure. We will be providing technologically advanced organic fertiliser with nutrients for plants. The government will purchase organic fertiliser of superior quality,” he said.   
The Minister charged that the JVP, as a party in the opposition, was trying to whip up baseless fear in the minds of people with fabrication of stories that the government would import city wastes from other countries to be used as organic fertiliser.   
 Prof. Priyantha Yapa of Sabaragamuwa University said Sri Lanka would  re-introduce organic farming after 1965.   

He said Sri Lanka depended on chemical farming for 57 years despite the health cost involved.

***Organic fertiliser would be manufactured using locally available raw  materials, and therefore the need for imports might not arise
*** In case, there is any need, we will import through Ceylon Fertiliser Company