“No policy change; subsidies only for organic farming”

The agricultural policy is only for a green agriculture that focuses on the sole use of organic fertilizers, said president Gotabaya Rajapaksa today (22).

He said the government will only distribute organic fertilizer and provide subsidies only for organic farming.

The farmers should be properly educated, the president told a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss the Maha season cultivation and the supply of organic fertilizer.

It is also vital to identify the chemical fertilizer mafia that exists when implementing this, he said, adding the commitment of the officials was essential to make the right policy victorious.

The President inquired from district-level officials about the cultivation of paddy and other crops and remarked the heavy rains have reduced the yield of many crops, including vegetables.

He said the delay in the distribution of organic manure affected cultivation activities.

According to him, the reason behind farmers organizing protests and delaying cultivation was that they have not been properly educated.

The President expressed his displeasure to the officials for not accurately educating the farmers.

Officials should work to find answers for the agitating farmers in accordance with the green agricultural policy and there is no obstacle for those who do not agree with the government policy to leave, he said.