Program to make SL a ‘toxin-free’ nation in three years

The Government is determined to curtail the use of toxic agrochemicals in farming and will launch a national program dealing with the issue next month.

The three-year national program to free the country from toxins will be inaugurated from 6-8 March at the BMICH under the auspices of President Maithripala Sirisena.

The three-year national program entitled ‘A Wholesome Agriculture - A Healthy Populace - A Toxin-free Nation’ has been initiated with the intention of preventing the use of highly toxic agrochemicals in the farming sector, the Government Information Department said. It is suspected that the fertilisers cause a number of harmful effects to people’s health, especially those from farming communities struck by the recent kidney disease, and the environment. Approximately Rs. 80 billion worth of agrochemicals are imported annually to the country.

This inauguration of the national program will educate the public on alternatives to agrochemicals. Low-cost toxin-free foods, organic foods, educational conferences, discussions and workshops, organic cultivation techniques, agricultural equipment and organic fertilisers will be the key highlights of the three-day inauguration event at the BMICH which is open to the public.