This year, the government is focusing on reducing the price of a 50 kg bundle of MOP fertilizer (Bundi fertilizer) to Rs. 10,000.
According to the instructions of the Minister of Agriculture, Mahinda Amaraweera, the Ministry of Agriculture has taken steps to prepare a ministerial paper for this purpose.
In the Maha season of 2022/23, 42,000 metric tons of Bundi fertilizer were imported into Sri Lanka and the price of one bundle of Bundi fertilizer was Rs. 19,500.
Although the decision was made according to the world fertilizer prices at that time, many farmers did not buy Bundi fertilizers because of their high cost.
So far, about 3000 metric tons of Bundy fertilizer has been sold, which is less than 10% of the total fertilizer stock.
The Department of Agriculture emphasized that the cause of the yellowing of the crops’ leaves in some paddy fields this time is the lack of application of Bundi fertilizer.
Meanwhile, university professors working in the field of agriculture have emphasized that there has been an acute shortage of potassium in the paddy fields in many districts of our country.
This was pointed out in a discussion held with the Minister of Agriculture.
Especially the reason is that the farmers not receiving fertilizer containing potassium since the Maha season of 2021.
Even though the arrangement of providing chemical fertilizers was started from the 2022 Yala season, it was not possible to provide potassium-rich fertilizers such as Mud Fertilizer (TSP) and Bundy Fertilizer (MOP).
The scholars also pointed out that potassium-containing fertilizers must be provided to the farmers this year.
Taking this situation into consideration, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that in the future, the Cabinet will take a decision to provide Mud fertilizer (TSP) to the farmers free of charge at the beginning of the Yala season, and to reduce the price of a bundle of Bundi fertilizer to Rs. 10,000.
Arrangements have been made to provide urea fertilizer at the same price of Rs. 10,000 this year.
Currently, the Ceylon Fertilizer Corporation and Commercial Fertilizer Corporation have enough urea and Bundi fertilizers for the yala season.
Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera has decided to present the ministerial paper for reducing the price of Bundi fertilizer to the cabinet next week.
