No increase in fertilizer prices despite global unrest – Minister

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that although the prices of chemical fertilizers including urea may increase due to this situation, measures will be taken not to increase the prices of fertilizers provided to farmers in this country during the upcoming Maha Season.

Currently, the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and between Palestine and Israel are increasing. Many other countries have been joining it. The Agriculture Minister visited the Anuradhapura Sri Maha Bodhi temple and met Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera on Monday (16). The purpose of this meeting was to get the Maha Sangha Ratna’s advice and instructions before starting the cultivation activities especially in the upcoming Maha Season. Ven. Gnarathana Thera emphasized that programmes should be implemented to strengthen the confidence of the farming people and that the Government should provide concessions to the farming people in particular.

The Minister said that due to the war conflicts currently raging in the world, there is a possibility that the prices of many imported materials including chemical fertilizers will increase, but we will take steps not to increase the price of chemical fertilizers provided to farmers.

Twenty one thousand metric tons of previously imported urea fertilizers have been distributed, and prices have been called for importing a large quantity of urea fertilizers. The Minister said that although the price of newly purchased urea fertilizer has increased in the world market, it will be provided at the same price.

He said that the Urea and MOP fertilizers available with the Government fertilizer companies will be provided at the same prices as before, a bundle of urea fertilizer at the same price of Rs.9,000. However, the Minister also mentioned that the price of a bundle of MOP fertilizer, which is currently reduced to Rs.14,000 will be reduced to Rs.12,000 in consultation with President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

He also mentioned that the TSP fertilizer will be supplied by the private sector during this Maha Season, and the Agriculture Ministry has taken necessary measures to get every type of fertilizer for the farmers without any shortage.

The Minister also met and discussed with the Ruwanweli Mahasa Viharadhikari Eathalawetunuwawe Gnanathilaka Thera yesterday (17) to get advice regarding future agricultural activities.

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