National Farmers’ Union Chairman Anuradha Tennakoon told the Daily Mirror that nearly 130,000 metric tons of fertilizer are required for paddy cultivation this Yala season, but only about 60,000 metric tons are currently available in the country.
He said that water has already been released for the season and stressed that fertilizer must be supplied in full at the beginning of cultivation to ensure a successful harvest.
According to Tennakoon, fertilizer imports to Sri Lanka are handled by five major companies, which together hold the existing stocks, while the process to procure the remaining requirement has not yet started.
He warned that global fertilizer prices have increased to around USD 650 per metric ton, which could result in the price of a 50-kg bag exceeding Rs. 20,000, further increasing production costs for farmers.
Tennakoon also pointed out that Sri Lanka largely depends on sea cargo shipments from Middle Eastern countries including Oman, and said the ongoing conflict in the region could disrupt supplies and create shortages if imports are delayed.
He noted that farmers are already facing higher costs for fuel, seeds and fertilizer, while paddy prices have not increased accordingly, making cultivation more difficult this season.
Tennakoon further criticized the authorities for failing to make use of the Eppawala phosphate deposit to produce fertilizer locally, saying that relying entirely on imports has made the country vulnerable during global supply disruptions.
Agriculture authorities, however, have stated that sufficient fertilizer stocks are available and have urged farmers to continue Yala cultivation without fear.
