PROMOTERS OF LOW QUALITY FOREIGN FERTILIZER

TROUBLE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY

- By Prageeth Sampath Karunathilaka and Sudharika Gurusinghe

The use of organic and liquid fertilizers in agriculture drew increased attention during Gotabaya Rajapaksa's regime. Due to the sudden ban on chemical fertilizer and other agrochemicals, the focus shifted heavily toward organic fertilizer. However, the use of substandard organic fertilizer in cultivation led to the destruction of farmland cultivation done using organic fertilizer.

As a result, the country experienced a serious food shortage during the above mentioned regime. Even though people had the finances, they struggled to buy basic vegetables. Farmers also witnessed their crops failing as they attempted to be in the cultivate business using organic fertilizer.

The situation later improved once appropriate corrective measures were taken. During the food shortage, the importation of chemical fertilizer remained prohibited, and as a solution, organic fertilizer was produced across the country. Over time, concerns emerged regarding the quality of certain fertilizer products. Although some of these issues eventually subsided, problems have arisen again regarding the quality of organic fertilizers.

As of now, two weeks have passed since paddy cultivation for the Yala season began in many parts of Sri Lanka. In several areas, farmers have already reached the stage where fertilizer and agrochemicals must be applied to the paddy, with MOP (Muriate of Potash) fertilizers used at this stage.