Nano Fertilizer released for distribution amongst concerns on efficacy

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Nano Nitrogen Liquid Fertilizer imported from the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) is released to Sri Lankan farmers as 'NANO RAJA'.

However, certain elements have raised concerns as to whether the quality of the Nano Nitrogen Liquid Fertilizer was tested before importing to Sri Lanka.

The Fertilizer Secretariat is the authority vested with the responsibility of inspecting the standards of any type of fertilizer imported to the country.

The Fertilizer Secretariat told News 1st that the contents of the Nano Nitrogen Liquid Fertilizer by IFFCO were tested by the Bureau Veritas laboratory on whether it meets the criteria set out by the Sri Lankan Standards Institute.

Bureau Veritas is considered a world leader in testing, inspection, and certification services (TIC).

Bureau Veritas had declared that one kilogram of liquid fertilizer contains 4.3 mg of Nitrogen and chromium (Cr) heavy metal, as per the specifications of the Sri Lanka Standards Institute.

However, the Sri Lanka Standards Institute told News 1st that SLSI had not issued any standard specification with respect to Nano Nitrogen Liquid fertilizer.

SLSI has appointed a committee to look into this as per a request that was made to them.

This committee had convened on the 14th of October, and it was revealed that there is no global standard for Nano Nitrogen Liquid Fertilizer.

Dr. Ajantha De Silva, the Director-General of the Agriculture Department told News 1st that though SLSI certification is NOT mandatory, it is of paramount importance to ensure the quantity of Heavy Metals, Nitrogen as well as the presence of a pathogen in fertilizer.

"We have followed all these requirements with respect to the fertilizer," he said.

Professor Saman Dharmakeethi, from the University of Peradeniya, stressed there is no standard for such fertilizers in Sri Lanka and the fertilizer in question must be subject to an extensive study.

"Nano Liquid Fertilizer is still in the preliminary stage use across the world, and there are concerns with regard to its benefits," he added.