Suppliers unwilling to sell fertilizer to Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Agriculture Ministry is facing issues in procuring fertilizer from the world market.

A Senior Officer attached to the Ministry told News 1st that some fertilizer suppliers are refusing to provide fertilizer citing the economic crisis, and reserves shortage in Sri Lanka.

A Senior Officer attached to the Ministry of Agriculture speaking to News 1st that international fertilizer suppliers have refused to agree to the terms presented by Sri Lanka in the procurement of Fertilizer.

However, the Ministry of Agriculture says that the Ministry has a reserve of 10,000 metric tons of fertilizer which are yet to be utilized under the Indian credit line. 

The Ministry intends on giving the reserve fertilizer to farmers who start cultivation before the maha season.

The Ministry of Agriculture stated that the stocks of fertilizers ordered utilizing the loans received from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank will be received by November.

Meanwhile, the director general of agriculture said that to reap the harvest of the maha season by the end of January or by the beginning of February, the cultivation activities of the maha season need to be commenced on time.