The Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on Food Security and Agriculture discussed the resolution of problems related to the application of fertilizers to agricultural crops in Sri Lanka.
This was discussed at a recent meeting of the SOC held under the Chairmanship of Parliamentarian D. Weerasingha.
Several people including Gamini Seneviratne, Senior Research Professor of Microbial Biotechnology at the National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy, explained about the application of fertilizers to agricultural crops in Sri Lanka.
These explanations elaborated on how the microbial cover should be maintained in the soil through the use of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers. The possibility of reducing diseases and the quality of nutrition was also explained. The Committee also pointed out that there are 32 soil research centres in the country run under the Agriculture Department and the need to introduce digital technology to quickly test the soil in these institutions.
Furthermore, the Committee pointed out the need to release different fertilizers for agricultural activities in the respective areas by recognizing the differences in the local soil. The officials present mentioned that awareness activities are already being done locally. Furthermore, the introduction of technologically advanced fertilizers in a suitable manner for the respective areas was also discussed at the Committee meeting.
Furthermore, the Committee focused on the strengthening of agricultural extension services and discussed the progress of the research conducted by the Department of Agriculture through provincial and inter-provincial agriculture officers and the dissemination of modern technology among provincial farmers.
The Committee also paid attention to the progress of the foreign exchange projects being implemented under the Agriculture and Plantation Industries Ministry.
On the invitation of the Chair of the Committee, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and Members of Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa, Kins Nelson, Samanpriya Herath and Major Sudarshan Denipitiya were present at the meeting.
Ministry of Agriculture, Provincial Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Auditor General, Department of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Development, National Fertilizer Secretariat, representatives of fertilizer organizations, National Institute of Fundamental Studies and youth representatives appointed to sectoral oversight committees were also present.
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