The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to pay a maximum compensation of Rs.50,000 per hectare to farmers who were affected as a result of the paddy harvest reducing in the 2021/2022 Maha season.
Speaking during a media briefing in Colombo Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage said the government banned the importation of chemical fertiliser in April last year.
He noted therefore farmers had to engage in farming activities in 800,000 hectares of land using organic fertiliser, during the 2021 Maha season.
The Agriculture Minister said however the subject Ministry failed to provide organic fertiliser at an appropriate time or inform the farmers in this regard, adding as a result the farmers yield reduced.
Minister Aluthgamage said the government reiterated that farmers will not face any injustice and will be compensated if there is a reduction in the harvest.
He stated accordingly the compensation will be provided to the 1.1 million farmers who engaged in farming activities in the Maha season, from next week.
