75% Of Yala Paddy Lands Receive Fertilizer Subsidy

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Department of Agrarian Development states that the fertilizer subsidy cash grants have already been provided for 75% of the land area cultivated with paddy in the Yala season.

Its Commissioner General, Dhammika Ranatunga, noted that Rs. 8,990 million has been spent for this purpose.

He further stated that another Rs. 2,000 million will be deposited into farmers' bank accounts within this week.

Under the fertilizer subsidy, the amount entitled to a farmer is Rs. 30,000.

It is estimated that paddy has been cultivated in 394,299 hectares during this Yala season.

Agrarian Development Centers continue to issue a sack of Urea fertilizer to farmers at a price of Rs. 10,200.

Meanwhile, the National Fertilizer Secretariat states that another ship containing Urea and a ship containing MOP fertilizer will arrive in the island this month.

The vessel carrying 18,000 metric tons of Urea fertilizer is arriving in the country from Uzbekistan.

The Fertilizer Secretariat mentioned that the ship carrying 17,000 metric tons of MOP fertilizer will reach the country from Oman.

Its Director, Chandana Lokuhewage, said that the country possesses all the fertilizer stocks required for the Yala season.

Therefore, he requests farmers not to harbor undue fears regarding a fertilizer shortage.