Fertilizer identified as an essential item, insurance cost now borne by Govt.

by Staff Writer 21-05-2018 | 2:58 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera speaking at a media briefing today (May 21) announced that fertilizer will be made an essential item. He said that paddy farmers receive fertilizer at Rs 500, other farmers receive the required fertilizer from the private sector and that there were reports of delays when the fertilizer was being distributed. He added that with approval from the cabinet, they granted permission to the Ceylon Fertilizer Company to sell the fertilizer at Rs. 1500. The Minister of Agriculture requested the public to inform consumer affairs authority if there are retailers who are selling the fertilizer at a higher price. He stated that they will take legal action against such vendors and they request the companies that sell fertilizer to cancel the permits granted to these agents who sell fertilizer at higher prices. The minister expressing his views regarding the agrarian insurance scheme stated that Rs. 1350 was obtained from the farmers as the agrarian insurance and the government has decided to bear that cost completely. He added that the government will not charge any amount and will provide the farmers with Rs 40,000 as an insurance payment for one acre. He said the program will commence from this harvesting season and will be for 6 crops. The six crops were named as follows;