Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa accepted that there were shortcomings in promoting organic fertilizer among farmers and educating them on how to produce it.
He said the farmers were unable to learn from even the Agrarian Services Centre how to produce organic fertilizer.
Minister Rajapaksa was speaking to the media following the traditional Yala Aswanu Pooja held at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy yesterday.
He said that however, the fertilizer issue has now become politicized. It is evident through the farmers protest campaigns being held throughout the country.
The Irrigation Minister pointed out that the discussion on organic fertilizer is not new and is decades old.
“It is the responsibility of the Government to make available poison-free healthy food to the public. In this endeavour, farmers are the best flagbearers,” he added.
Due to the fertilizer issue, there will be a reduced harvest in the Yala season, in which case the Government is ready to pay damages to the farmers, Minister Rajapaksa said.
