Use of organic fertilizers for a healthy future generation – President
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the decision to start using organic fertilizer was taken towards endowing a healthy future generation to the country.
The “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” policy framework stated that the whole agricultural sector of the country should be transformed to use only organic fertilizers. It is the responsibility of the Government to act in accordance with the pledges made to the people. Previous Governments have tried to popularize the use of organic fertilizers but have not been able to sustain the practice. This is a challenging task; a difficult one, but it should be done on behalf of the country after identifying the correct strategy.
The President expressed these views at a meeting held with the members of the ‘Presidential Task Force on Creating a Green Sri Lanka with Sustainable Solutions to Climate Change’ at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday (11).
The President said that the Government is ready to buy paddy for a higher price than the guaranteed price if there is any reduction in the yield due to the use of organic fertilizer.
Therefore, he said the farmers should not have any fear regarding the initiative. The President said that the Government is ready to bear the cost to ensure that the consumers can purchase rice for existing prices.
The President further stated that the Government is ready to provide the necessary facilities if the companies that imported chemical fertilizers start producing organic fertilizer.
Taking part in the discussion, President’s Special Representative and the Chair of the Task Force, former Minister Basil Rajapaksa said, “some battles were lost in the mission to save the country from terrorism.
Finally, the country succeeded in defeating terrorism. Similarly, the Government is ready to ensure the peoples’ right to a non-toxic meal by overcoming all the challenges.”
The experts in the field pointed out that the transformation of Sri Lanka’s agriculture, which has been accustomed to the use of chemical fertilizers since the early sixties, to the use of organic fertilizers would be a special victory bestowed upon the people similar to saving the country from the war.
Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera and the members of Presidential Task Force on Creating a Green Sri Lanka with Sustainable Solutions to Climate Change were present.
(Source: Daily News)
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Well, if there is no money in the kitty to buy high quality fertiliser and pesticide, please let us know.
If an organic fertilizer policy is implemented, not many of the current population will reach the next gen and enjoy the ‘Prosperity and Splendor’.
This is a good decision. Some professors get money from fertilizer companies and support using fertilizer.
Congratulations.
I agree with Basnayake. Importing fertilizer and pesticides is a big business. It is high time to start using organic fertilizer. New highbred varieties introduced thrive with organic fertilizer and they are susceptible for pests. Then, the famers have to depend on unhealthy pesticides. This is a vicious cycle and we have stop this.
Thanks Mr.Amarakkon.
Some professionals are board members of agro-chemical companies. That is why they mainly canvass for fertilizer and pesticides. We have to re-introduce our indigenous vegetables , fruits , and rice varieties.
Basnayake & Amarakoon are apparently overseas residents in White Men’s lands.
Guys, please view video interviews with struggling farmers on YouTube.
The entire food growing industry has come to a standstill.
There’s big talk of ‘organic fertiliser’, none of which is in sight.
The food supply chain is likely to come to a standstill in not more than 6 months if this rubbish policy continues.
Two things to be done.
1. Ensure imported Chem Fertiliser and more importantly, pesticides, are of high quality and not be imported by the Mafia for infinite profits.
2. Genuine plan and attempt to create an organic fertiliser / pesticide industry to suit local conditions. This may take least 10 years of consistent effort.
As things are at present, the nation is facing starvation in as little as 6 months.
Mr. Gangalan is another typical show-off character in SL. Poor guy. Please read some books first to improve your knowledge.
Mr/Ms aT SEA,
Has anyone measured the commercial and social outcome of an immediate ban on Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides?
Has anyone commented on the lowest quality (most dangerous) Fertilizer and Pesticides being imported by the Mafia and distributed to maximize profits and the wealth of a few?
Dear Mr. Ganagalan Fernanado, when responding to comments please refrain from looking into the pedigree of the person. Whether Mr. Basnayake or me live in a foreign country (as White mans country you are referring to) is immaterial. Pl. be objective. BTW, fertilizer and pesticides too coming from your so called ‘white man’s ‘countries isn’t it? Please read a book and learn the bad/evil affects of these chemical fertilizers and pesticides (e.g. Glycosides). That said, I agree with your 2nd point ‘ 2. Genuine plan and attempt to create an organic fertilizer / pesticide industry to suit local conditions’. This may take least 10 years of consistent effort.’ We have to start from somewhere isn’t it? First, we have to get rid of imported highbred varieties which need chemical fertilizers and cancer causing pesticides. Starvation in 6 months! Come on. It is supply and demand. If a starvation comes these chair warming Agriculture officers will go to the field, local farmers will double their efforts to produce more just like in late Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s era. It is better that those sales reps wearing neck ties going to shops and promoting cancer causing Chemicals fertilizers and pesticides!
Thank you for your feedback, Mr Amarakoon.
The State must invest heavily in creating a competitive organic fertilizer / pesticide production industry over the next 10 year period.
The organic products should be introduced to the growers as a subsidized alternative to the Chem stuff.
There should be a consistent, high quality education program delivered to the farmers.
Use of the Chem stuff will decline gradually and targeted to be eliminated at the end of the 10 year period.
The initiative should be free of political interference.