Gazette banning chemical fertilizer imports; a move on wrong advice Agri Ministry Secretary

 

                                          

The Gazette notification on the ban imposed on the use of chemical fertilizers was issued on wrong instructions, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture Professor Udith K. Jayasinghe revealed.

According to Lankadeepa Newspaper, He told that the President, Government, and the subject Minister are not at fault in this regard, adding that it should be done in the right manner when giving advice to top political officials.

Jayasinghe pointed out that they wanted to introduce the use of non – toxic high-quality plant nutrients instead of using toxic agrochemical fertilizers.

The importation of high-quality eco-friendly plant nutrients should be allowed, instead of issuing a gazette notification banning the use of agrochemicals.

High-quality bio-fertilizers should be used instead of non-toxic fertilizers.

The present situation in the country would have been better if the Gazette notification had been issued in this manner, he said.

Jayasinghe further said a discussion on the current situation chaired by the President has been held with Ministers, Researchers, and Administrators focussing on the need to resolve the current issue.