The Department of Agrarian Development says cash grants under the government’s fertilizer subsidy have already been provided for 75% of the land area cultivated with paddy in the Yala season, NewsFirst reported.
Commissioner General Dhammika Ranatunga said Rs.8,990 million has been spent so far, with a further Rs.2,000 million scheduled to be deposited into farmers’ bank accounts within this week. Each entitled farmer receives Rs.30,000 under the scheme.
Paddy has been cultivated on an estimated 394,299 hectares this Yala season. Agrarian Development Centres continue to issue a sack of urea fertilizer to farmers at Rs.10,200.
Two more fertilizer shipments are due this month, the National Fertilizer Secretariat said. A vessel carrying 18,000 metric tonnes of urea is arriving from Uzbekistan, and a separate vessel carrying 17,000 metric tonnes of MOP fertilizer is expected from Oman. Director Chandana Lokuhewage said the country possesses all the fertilizer stocks required for the Yala season, and urged farmers not to harbour undue fears regarding a shortage.
The supply outlook resolves much of the anxiety that built up earlier in the season. The Cabinet approved 15,000 MT of urea fertilizer for the Yala 2026 season in mid-May, after farmer protests at Galenbindunuwewa over delayed deliveries and calls from farmers in Hambantota for urea distribution signalled timing strain on the cycle.
