Govt. to establish a standard for imported fertilisers

Wednesday, 5 August 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Ministry of Agriculture has taken steps to establish a standard for imported fertilisers in agreement with fertiliser importers.

As the application of fertiliser for crops varies depending on types of crops, soil conditions, climatic zones, the Department of Agriculture has declared fertiliser recommendations for all food crops.

Farmers who are engaged in commercial farming tend to use more chemical fertiliser with the objective of achieving higher economic benefits. Due to factors such as non-use of fertiliser in due proportion and the applying of substandard fertiliser have recently given rise to problems associated with healthiness of agricultural products.

Over 100 types of special chemical fertiliser manufactured in various countries in different qualities are available in the local market.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal made by Minister of Agriculture Duminda Dissanayake to establish a standard for fertilisers with the agreement of fertiliser importers.