Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ The initiatives aimed at enhancing organic fertilizer production at the Welimada Ulugalawatta Organic Solid Fertilizer Processing Center, overseen by the National Food Promotion Board, commenced recently with the active involvement of Mahinda Amaraweera, the Minister of Agriculture. The event was graced by the presence of key figures, including A. H. M. Muzammil, the Governor of Uva Province; Sudarshana Denipitiya, Member of Parliament; Gunadasa Samarasinghe, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture; and Palinda Sagara, Chairman of the National Food Promotion Board.
Strategic measures have been set in motion to export a monthly volume of 5,000 metric tons of solid organic fertilizers processed at this facility. A significant portion of this fertilizer is slated for a cultivation venture in Dubai, amplifying the outreach of organic agricultural practices. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera meticulously inspected the production operations at the center, as well as surveyed the thriving cultivation of vegetables and papayas nurtured in shelters fortified with organic fertilizers.
In his discourse, the Minister highlighted that the sweeping shift toward 100% organic fertilizers in the nation’s agricultural sector had significantly impacted agricultural productivity. He emphasized the fact that while there had been a recent drive to encourage farmers to return to 100% chemical fertilizers, scholars had previously sparked widespread discourse about the health repercussions stemming from the use of chemical fertilizers.
However, in pursuit of optimal agricultural outcomes, the Minister underscored that research conducted by the Department of Agriculture has demonstrated that a judicious combination of both organic and chemical fertilizers, in line with recommendations, yields not only high crop production but also superior quality food. Additionally, the Minister also highlighted the findings from tests carried out by the Bathalagoda Rice Research Institute, which indicated that the most substantial rice yield results were achieved by adhering to a balanced application of organic and chemical fertilizers based on appropriate guidelines.
