Farmers desperate due to lack of fertilizer

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Against a backdrop, where politicians continue to discuss matters about vehicles, our correspondents reported the plight of several farmers due to the lack of fertilizer. Showers were experienced in several parts of the country, marking the end of a long spell of drought. Farmers who made use of the situation began cultivation activities immediately. However, they are now facing an unexpected problem. They are all in desperation while watching over their fields as they do not have sufficient fertilizer. Farmers say that the required amount of fertilizer cannot be purchased even in the market. They complain that the fertilizer said to have been provided at concessionary rates by the present government has not yet been provided to them. Meanwhile, on a separate note, the Minister of Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development, Chamal Rajapaksa said;

"We have to pay Rs. 23 billion in dues as the previous government had purchased fertilizer without making the payments. We have obtained fertilizer after managing to pay Rs. 6 billion of the total debt."

On the 5th of this month, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa himself said that the supply of fertilizer has reduced since the Agriculture Ministry owes fertilizer suppliers Rs 23.9 billion. However, the farmers claim that there is no point in blaming the previous government if they no longer get their fertilizer. If the shortage of fertilizer continues to exist, will there be a shortage of vegetables by the time of the New Year?