COLOMBO (NewsRadio); The Ministry of Agriculture says the price of urea fertiliser will be reduced further due to the appreciation of the Sri Lankan Rupee and owing to the decrease in price of urea in the international market.
The Minister said another consignment of 31,200 MT of urea fertiliser is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka during the first week of June.
The Ministry noted that during the release of the new shipment to the market, the price of urea fertiliser will be reduced further.
Meanwhile, the Agriculture Ministry has also announced that the programme to provide stocks of urea fertiliser free of charge to a selected group of farmers has commenced.
The Ministry said farmers who cultivate paddy on less than half a hectare will receive a sack of urea fertiliser free of charge.
The programme has been implemented in seven districts thus far.
Subject Minister Mahinda Amaraweera noted that the government is already providing Rs. 20,000 to farmers who cultivate on a hectare and Rs. 40,000 to those who cultivate on two or more hectares to purchase any types of fertiliser.
