Import ban on chemical fertilizers could plunge country to famine: SJB

Sri Lanka will be heading for a famine with the government’s latest decision to ban importing chemical fertilizer and pesticides, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said today.

SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madumma Bandara told a press conference that Sri Lanka’s paddy yield will be dropped by 40% while  export earnings generated through tea by 50%, revenue loss from Cinnamon and 20% revenue drop from coconut exports will result in government’s decision to ban the import of chemical fertilizers.

“Experts have warned that there would be a famine in the country before long as a result of these decisions by the government. This could lead the country to go back to the era where there were long queues to buy bread and essential foodstuff” Mr. Madduma Bandara said.

“It is true that some chemicals such as cadmium affect the kidneys. However steps should be taken to import fertilizer with low cadmium strength,” he added.

Also he said one should realize that chemical fertilizer is pertinent to get maximum yield out of hybrid seeds that are available today. “What is needed is a long term plan to shift to organic fertilizer,” he said.(Yohan Perera)