The Ministry of Agriculture has decided to appoint an experts’ committee to look into the reports that claim a 65% wastage of urea fertiliser used for paddy cultivation in Sri Lanka, and accordingly make appropriate recommendations to increase the efficiency of the fertiliser to 100% when used in the fields.

Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday (10) said that recently there were reports indicating a 65% waste of urea fertiliser when used in paddy cultivation leaving out a mere 35% effective on the cultivation.

He instructed the relevant officials to conduct an immediate investigation into such claims and prepare a report with recommendations. He advised the officials to prepare the report comparative to the urea fertiliser usage for paddy cultivation in other parts of the world such as the European Union, China, India and Vietnam.

Amaraweera also said that an experts’ committee would be appointed to make recommendations regarding steps that should be taken to use urea fertiliser for paddy cultivation, 100% effectively, while also ensuring that the fertiliser is up to the required standards.

According to the data of the Ministry, the amount of urea fertiliser imported annually is close to 175,000 metric tonnes that includes 100,000 metric tonnes for the maha season and 75,000 metric tonnes for the yala season. Accordingly, if the reports in consideration are correct then a load of urea fertiliser weighing 105,000 metric tonnes is wasted.