The European Union has pledged to extend its assistance for the promotion and development of organic farming in Sri Lanka.
European Union Representative in Sri Lanka Jenny Correia Nunes yesterday told Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage that the EU was ready to provide any assistance needed for organic farming in Sri Lanka.
This was stated at a meeting held with the representatives of the European Union, the World Bank and the World Food Program at the Agriculture Ministry yesterday morning (22).
“EU countries are focusing on organic farming.We see it as a good thing that Sri Lanka is also joining in. We look forward to helping you succeed,” Nunes said.
Speaking at the event, Minister Aluthgamage pointed out that while farmers all over the country are preparing for organic farming, an organized group is trying to instill fear in them about the use of organic fertilizer.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has also mentioned the importance of promoting organic farming in his election manifesto. Accordingly, this has now become a government policy. The Minister further stated that some groups are trying to mislead the farming community based on the laboratory report issued by the Plant Quarantine Center regarding a sample of organic fertilizer obtained in Sri Lanka outside the accepted tender policy.
“Farmers are ready for organic farming. Even now a large number of farmers are tempted to produce organic fertilizer for their cultivation. The government has taken steps to import organic nitrogen and potassium as well as liquid fertilizer and organic fungicides to help farmers increase their yields. The two government fertilizer companies have been allowed to import organic fertilizer for tea, coconut, rubber and other crops.” the Minister said.
by Daily News Sri Lanka
, Local, ,