Inputs by Amey Haldankar
Delhi, Oct 19: Sri Lanka received the first batch of organic fertiliser from India today.
The nano nitrogen organic fertiliser is safe for crops and humans. 3.1 million liters was handed over to Sri Lanka in the first batch today.
First, a sample of the fertiliser was sent to Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Standards Institute tested the sample to ensure that it is safe and meets the required standards. After that, the import was approved by the Sri Lankan government.
The agriculture minister, Shri Mahindananda Aluthgamage, ensured that the fertiliser was available to the farmers before the Maha season cultivation in Sri Lanka.
Why is Sri Lanka looking for organic fertilisers?
On May 6, 2021, the Sri Lankan president, Shri Gotabaya Rajapaksa, announced a ban on chemical fertilisers in the island nation and declared that Sri Lanka would become a 100% organic agriculture nation.
However, this led to a backlash (angry reaction) from the local media and farmers. Tea production suffered because of this ban. Tea is an important export for Sri Lanka and tea farmers did not like losing money because of this rule.
A limited relaxation was therefore provided to the farmers.
In October, a sample of organic fertiliser sent by a company in China was found to contain a harmful bacterium. This led to the rejection of that sample. The sample sent by India was subsequently tested and found to be completely safe.
The fertiliser imported from India will be used to support maize and paddy crops in Eastern Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan government is also trying to help farmers to grow their own organic compost, but that production is not enough to meet the demand.
