The Ministry of Agriculture has assured that the recently-arrived fertiliser stock meets all required quality standards.

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Agriculture Ministry Secretary D.P. Wickramasinghe stressed that the fertiliser had been tested in international laboratories prior to shipment and would not have been accepted if it did not meet these standards.

He further confirmed that samples would be taken upon its arrival in Sri Lanka to verify its quality.

The Government on Thursday (12) received a donation of 55,000 MT of Muriate of Potash (MOP) fertiliser, commonly known as ‘bandi pohora,’ from Russia, facilitated by the World Food Programme (WFP).

The shipment, which had been delayed for two years, raised concerns about its quality due to the prolonged wait.

Wickramasinghe clarified that the fertiliser, loaded in 2022, came with a four-year guarantee because it was a mineral-based product. 

He added that any remaining fertiliser could be tested and used within this four-year period, depending on its condition.

The shipment, produced by Russia’s Uralchem Group, is intended to support Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector. 

As per a priority list from the Department of Agrarian Development, about 30,000 MT of the donated fertiliser will be distributed free of charge to farmers who have already begun paddy cultivation. 

The remaining fertiliser will be allocated for coconut cultivation. The delay in the delivery of the Russian potash fertiliser, which has led to diplomatic tensions, is attributed to a blockade at the Port of Riga, Latvia.