December 18, 2024 | ADA derana |
Deputy Minister Samantha Vidyarathna announced a plan to provide fertilizer subsidies to combat the country's ongoing coconut shortage. Of the 55,000 metric tons of recently imported fertilizer, 27,500 metric tons will be allocated for coconut cultivation.
The Deputy Minister highlighted that ministry-managed coconut plantations, covering tens of thousands of acres, have gone unfertilized for five years, leading to reduced harvests. Similarly, the general public lacked access to fertilizers, exacerbating the problem.
Following a Cabinet discussion, the decision to prioritize coconut cultivation aims to restore productivity. Vidyarathna expressed confidence that this initiative will alleviate the crisis by the next year. This subsidy program represents a key step in addressing the national coconut shortage and supporting sustainable production.
